Filipino Microentrepreneurs Triumph at the 4th DFIA

Celebrating the role of technology and innovation in shaping sustainable economic growth, the 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards (DFIA) honoured Filipino microentrepreneurs and microfinance institutions (MFIs) who have engaged digital tools to grow their businesses and uplift their communities. This year’s honourees embody how financial inclusion can drive sustainable growth and create lasting opportunities for underserved Filipinos.

 

Jointly organized by the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) and the Citi Foundation, with the support of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the DFIA continues to champion inclusive progress through digital transformation. The awarding ceremony gathered key leaders and partners in the finance sector, including BSP governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr., Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila, and MCPI chairperson Eduardo C. Jimenez, who emphasized the importance of innovation in strengthening the microfinance ecosystem.

A total of seventeen (17) outstanding microentrepreneurs received ₱100,000 each in cash grants and brand-new laptops to help accelerate their digital journey. Representing diverse industries such as agriculture, food production, retail, and handicrafts, this year’s awardees are Josephia Azores, Roby Grace Bernabe, Mylene Bersabal, Carmelita Dapanas, RJ De Chavez, Ailyn Flormata, Raquel Lanaban, Gladys Maipid, Edna Maloon, Annalisa Monil, Lorlie Noblezada, Rosalie Orijola, Cecilia Oroc, Maricar Pagao, Danise Palmero, Niel Danica Polong, and Alan Romero.

 

At the institutional level, three (3) institutions were also recognized for their leadership in advancing digitalization. The awardees included GRF Hublag Microfinance Foundation, Inc., MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center, and Taytay Sa Kauswagan, Inc.

 

“Our awardees prove that the old narrative of digital tools being out of reach and too complicated no longer holds,” said BSP governor Remolona. “With simple yet innovative digital tools, such as online selling, QR payments, business systems, we are rewriting what’s possible for Filipino entrepreneurs.”

 

“The DFIA reinforces Citi Foundation’s mission to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities. We celebrate not only your business milestones but the lives you continue to uplift, as we all work together to build more sustainable, economically vibrant communities. Your entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation inspire us all,” added Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila.

 

Now in its fourth year, the DFIA continues to serve as a platform for recognizing Filipino ingenuity and the power of technology to open new doors of opportunity. The program amplifies awareness of how microfinance and digital innovation help create a more resilient, inclusive, and empowered nation.

 

The DFIA builds on the legacy of the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards, allowing Citi Foundation and MCPI to further advance awareness of how microentrepreneurship and microfinance drive financial inclusion and empower low-income Filipinos toward sustainable growth.

TRADE CHIEF COMMENDS OFWS-TURNED-ENTREPRENEURS, ACKNOWLEDGES CONTRIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PASAY CITY—Trade Secretary Fred Pascual together with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who thrived as entrepreneurs during the KABAYAN 2022: Go Negosyo’s 17th Anniversary Special held on 3 December 2022 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

“Investing our hard-earned money here in the country is good business. As businesses in the country grow, the effects spillover to our economy and people", Pascual said.

The KABAYAN 2022 aims to provide business opportunities and investment matches for the hard-earned resources of OFWs and their families. Further, the event awarded the Most Inspiring OFWs for their remarkable contributions to the Philippine economy. There were also business-related curated booths, money and market discussions, and general mentorship from successful OFWs-turned-entrepreneurs during the event.

DTI continues to promote inclusive growth and prosperity for our MSMEs through access to money, market, and mentorship. The Department also aids OFWs and their families through entrepreneurial trainings, business advisory services, business name registration assistance, and skills trainings and seminars, among others.

The Department currently implements projects and programs such as Helping the Economy to Recover Through OFW Enterprise Startups (HEROES) program and the Rise Up Multipurpose Loan, which provide loans to repatriated and returning OFWs, Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) and Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) that aim to boost the entrepreneurial capacity of Filipinos, and online Business Name Registration System Next Generation (BNRS Next Gen) and DTI chatbot TIA (Trade and Industry Assistant) that provide digital assistance to OFWs who are planning to start a business.

Further, the Trade Chief emphasized the critical role played by OFWs in contributing to the country’s economic growth and development even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite the global economic downturn due to the pandemic, OFW remittances last year hit a record-breaking USD34.88 billion. This huge amount, together with the Filipinos’ madiskarte entrepreneurial spirit, tell us that our OFWs and their families can grow earnings beyond their monthly paycheck—that is, invest and make things happen in the Philippines", the Trade Chief added.

Also gracing the event were Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan V. Ople and representatives from various business chambers.

DTI-12, LGU Koronadal hold Bugal Trade Fair during Negosyo Festival

KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 through its South Cotabato Provincial Officers forged a partnership with the local government unit of Koronadal City for the conduct of a 10-day trade fair dubbed as “Bugal Trade Fair sa Negosyo Festival” which was launched on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

The fair, participated by 48 DTI-assisted food and non-food micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of South Cotabato, will run until October 15, 2022 and is part of the enrolled activities in line with the celebration of Koronadal City’s 22nd Charter Anniversary and the 12th Negosyo Festival.

In an interview, DTI-12 OIC Regional Director Flora Politud-Gabunales said that the partnership with LGU Koronadal is proof of the importance viewed by the partner offices in assisting the MSMEs market their products after the more than two years of economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After the hiatus of more than two years because of the pandemic restrictions, we are again intensifying our efforts to market the products of our local producers. By doing so, we help them pivot their businesses,” said Politud Gabunales.

Participating MSMEs in the trade fair were limited to those who have undergone business and product development interventions from DTI to ensure their readiness and safety of the marketed products.

Aside from product selling, DTI will also feature a financing forum, coffee training, orientation on Halal, food safety and good manufacturing practices, and technology development training on coconut by-products.

The public can also avail of the free brewed coffee and chocolate drink using the locally produced roasted coffee and tablea (chocolate liquor) of the South Cotabato at the Tsokokapehan booth.

The trade fair was ceremonially opened with a gong banging and breaking of cacao pod-shaped piñata by DTI-12 OIC-Assistant Regional Director and concurrent Provincial Director of DTI South Cotabato Rictoniel Reginio, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., and Koronadal Mayor Eliordo Ogena.

Reginio invited the public to visit and promote the trade fair, patronize the local products and participate in the free trainings and sessions.

Carousell PH Partners with Go Negosyo

Carousell Philippines, the country’s leading classifieds platform, recently partnered with Go Negosyo for its participation in “Sign Up! Angat Lahat Sa Digital” mobile app summit and expo. This year’s summit aims to gather mobile app platforms that help micro-entrepreneurs become self-earning in the digital economy. It will also highlight the impact of platforms in helping achieve inclusive growth and prosperity for all. The mobile app summit and expo will gather more than 100 participating digital and mobile app platforms at the World Trade Center. Present during the partnership were senior adviser for ASEAN BAC and Angat Lahat Sa Digital adviser Josephine Romero, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, and Carousell Philippines head of general classifieds Tina Bautista.

Shopee Teams up with Go Negosyo to Drive Digital Agriculture in the Philippines

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partners with Go Negosyo, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship’s official advocacy, to digitize the agricultural industry in the Philippines. The initiative equipped farmers with the skills and knowledge to sell their homegrown products online.

Through this partnership, local farmers can promote their products directly to consumers, as well as expand their reach nationwide via Shopee. They can also reach more customers at minimal cost, allowing them to deliver quality local produce to online shoppers at competitive and affordable prices.

Martin Yu, Associate Director, Shopee Philippines, said, “Through our partnership with Go Negosyo, our local farmers will be able to tap the full potential of e-commerce. By being on Shopee, they are able to expand their market reach by leveraging our platform’s wide user base as well as enjoy a seamless online selling experience. At the same time, consumers will enjoy greater access to organic and homegrown products while supporting our local farmers.”
The project kicked off with a special Shopee University class geared toward agricultural cooperatives. Farmers and agri-entrepreneurs owners were taught the basics and benefits of e-commerce.

Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Adviser for Agripreneurship at Go Negosyo, said, “We are grateful to Shopee for providing an inclusive and convenient way for farmers to sell their products online. Through this project, Shopee is enabling the agricultural industry to grow and touch base with consumers nationwide. We look forward to strengthening our partnership and creating more initiatives that benefit small entrepreneurs.”

Go Negosyo-affiliated farmers, which participated in the class, will showcase their local all-natural products on Shopee from September 18 to 20. Users can look forward to discounts of up to 20% off on various local agricultural products. There will also be an additional ₱100 off for a minimum spend of ₱500 with the voucher SPHGOLOCAL.

For more information visit https://shopee.ph/m/go-negosyo.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Mentor Me On Wheels goes to Pangasinan

No rain nor flood stopped the 493 MSMEs, would-be entrepreneurs, students and walk-in participants as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 1 and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) - Go Negosyo successfully conducted the Mentor Me on Wheels (MMOW) One on One Negosyo Mentorship Program last September 9, 2019 at the Robinsons Place, Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Forty-Two (42) accredited Go Negosyo Mentors, who voluntarily participated, did the business counseling and shared their expert views and best practices in running a business.

The mentee-participants took one-on-one mentoring session with a Go Negosyo Mentor on Marketing, Financing, and Entrepreneurial Mindset topics.

DTI Region 1 Director Grace Falgui-Baluyan expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support given by the mentors, participants and partner organizations.

“Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor. Thus, if we want to build our competence to successfully run our businesses, please bear in mind that it is not a weakness to ask people for guidance.” she added.

A Pangasinense herself, Philippine Commission for Women Commissioner Sandy Montano also served as a mentor during the event. She encouraged everyone to always aim high, be an inspiration to others and take pride of where they came from.

The MMOW-Pangasinan is the 1st run in Region 1 and 27th nationwide. The program aims to bring business mentorship closer to all Filipinos. Through the MMOW, micro-small business owners will be equipped with the technical and practical know-how on entrepreneurship in more convenient and accessible locations.