Alyansa senatorial bets push for stronger MSME support
ILOILO—SENATORIAL candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (ABP) said they would champion measures that would strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which remain the backbone of the Philippine economy.
Former senator Manny Pacquiao emphasized during a press conference on Thursday the critical role of MSMEs in the country’s economic recovery, thus it’s important to equip them with help that would allow them to grow.
“Dito sa bansa natin, 99 percent ang small, medium enterprises at kung hindi natin ‘yan sila tutulungan, hindi natin palalakasin ‘yan, imposible na maka-recover agad tayo,” Pacquiao said, as he promised to secure additional funding for the sector.
ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo proposed to expand the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), particularly for impoverished communities and unemployed individuals. The program targets beneficiaries that graduate from the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Tulfo emphasized that under the DSWD program, beneficiaries must first undergo Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training before receiving DSWD funding. “Kailangan mo munang mag-undergo ng training sa TESDA kung anong klaseng negosyo o pagpapatakbo ng negosyo,” he explained.
The lawmaker also highlighted the program’s focus on the formation of cooperatives, saying successful community businesses could receive additional support. “Kapag lumago ang negosyong ‘yon may additional po after three or five years, may additional kalahating milyon na ibibigay muli ang DSWD,” Tulfo said.
Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reinforced his colleagues’ stance.
“Kapag hindi natin tinulungan at pinalakas ‘yong MSMEs natin marami pong maaapektuhan,” as he pushed for improved access to funding through lending institutions.
The candidates’ MSME agenda resonates particularly in Iloilo, which is primarily an agricultural economy with wholesale and retail trade, forestry and fishing industries.
Meanwhile, the local government under Mayor Jerry Treñas has been working to institutionalize the “Merkado Local/USWAG Rolling Store” via an ordinance establishing the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa (KADIWA) program, which aligns with the Department of Agriculture’s initiative to support local producers and ensure food security.
