In unity, there is prosperity

This has been the outcome of our recent launch of the Kapatid, a Go Negosyo initiative in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry to strengthen the mentorship program for micro and small entrepreneurs and link them to the value chain of medium and large corporations through inclusive business models. 

Last Monday, with the company of the entire Go Negosyo community, we presented “Kapatid.” As mentioned in my previous column, we used the term “Kapatid” which is the Tagalog term for siblings to show the distinctive trait of Filipinos to help their families. We also know how our beloved Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have sacrificed just to support the younger members of the family.

More than 600 people joined us as we celebrate the partnership of Go Negosyo and the Department of Trade and Industry for this project. Members of the entrepreneur community, legislators, government representatives, and partner organizations expressed their support for the mission.

In my speech, I recognized people who have believed in the advocacy and share in the mission of Go Negosyo.

First, MVP Group Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan who believed from the very first day that entrepreneurship is really the solution to poverty in this country. He’s been a great supporter in helping and promoting entrepreneurship using his companies and projecting entrepreneurs as the new heroes of the Philippines.

Of course, I have to recognize the Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who can be considered instrumental to the birth of Go Negosyo when she appointed me as the Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship.

I also recognized the senators present most especially Sen. Bam Aquino who really inspired us and supported us by creating his first bill, the Go Negosyo Law which created the Negosyo Centers. I felt like giving up but when I saw the bill, I realized that this will help pursue the mission. Senator Grace Poe, Senator Cynthia Villar, Sen. Sonny Angara, and Vice President Leni Robredo are also a source of encouragement for Go Negosyo.

Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto was also there. Aside from my dad, he is one of the people I look up to.

Go Negosyo trustees – Felix Ang, Justin Uy, William Belo, Alice Eduardo, Rosalind Wee, Myla Villanueva, Corazon Dayro-Ong, Carla Limcaoco and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion awarded Ramon Lopez for having served as the Executive Director of Go Negosyo for 11 years.

The good progress achieved by Go Negosyo is also shared to our partners, who were always there to support the advocacy. We cannot succeed without their help.

We were also joined by the young, micro and small entrepreneurs from our Youth Entrepreneurship Development Workshop (YEDW) Program; Mentor Me mentees from Negosyo Centers in Mandaluyong and Calamba; and our selected micro entrepreneurs from Cavite and Batangas who needed the support to level up their businesses.

Aling Yoly is one of the micro entrepreneurs we interviewed for Kapatid. She is a vendor and cultivator of oysters and mussels for 33 years which has helped their family in their everyday needs. With a starting capital of 10,000 pesos, she started the business even with limited knowledge and training for it. If we can connect Aling Yoly to a food manufacturer who needs oysters, even with 1% contribution to the supply, she can have a more sustainable income.

Freddie of Batangas who is a farmer can be enrolled in a mentoring session for farmers with other farmers in their region. With the support of agri-entrepreneurs such as Henry Lim Bon Liong (SL Agritech) or Joseph Calata (Calata Corporation) who can give mentoring and capacity building trainings, then they can be equipped with knowledge on how they can multiply their productivity, innovate farming system, and develop farming techniques.

Macario Macaraig, a wooden handicrafts manufacturer, can be linked to souvenir shops. He can also be enrolled in a mentoring session for creativity and innovation.

These are just simple ways on how we can achieve inclusive growth. But there will be more programs that can be developed under this partnership.

Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Sonny Angara, Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Win Gatchalian answered questions on inclusive growth during the forum. The forum was moderated by Atty. Mike Toledo and Shawn Yao. 

 

Together with the Go Negosyo trustees – Felix Ang, Justin Uy, William Belo, Alice Eduardo, Rosalind Wee, Myla Villanueva, Corazon Dayro-Ong and Carla Limcaoco, we recognized Mon Lopez who has been the Executive Director of Go Negosyo since the beginning. He has passionately pushed for the advocacy since 2005.

The highlight of the event was the forum on inclusive growth which featured legislators – Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Sonny Angara, Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Win Gatchalian. Sen. Cynthia Villar was also present in the Kapatid launch.

In totality, the launch is a success after receiving outpouring support for Kapatid. All were eager and ready to help micro and small entrepreneurs. I am so glad that all our entrepreneurs are ready to answer to the call of action.

With the support of DTI, and other partner organizations and hopefully, more government departments, we can all achieve the goal of inclusive growth!