The Government Industrialization and Employment Generation Initiatives bode well for Philippine micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), said Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, following the participation of the non-profit’s Kapatid Angat Lahat sa Agri Program (KALAP) during the Senate’s Committee on Finance inquiry last July 6, which was led by Senator Sonny Angara.

“This is very timely and I am fully supportive of this measure by Senator [Sonny] Angara. This aligns with the priorities of the Private Sector Advisory Council as well where I serve as the Jobs Sector Lead,” said Concepcion.

Concepcion pointed out in particular that the Tatak Pinoy initiative to push for local industries has a positive effect on jobs creation. “I can see how this can benefit the whole of the country. Local enterprises have a better chance at competing and growing when they have government support. And when MSMEs grow, they can generate more jobs not just in the cities but also in the rural areas.”

Concepcion mentioned in particular KALAP’s initiatives to integrate small farmers into the value chain of big agri corporations. KALAP was represented during the Senate hearing by Go Negosyo senior adviser Dr. William Dar, who pointed out that as of March 2023, Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that the agriculture sector was the second highest contributor in terms of employment share at 23.5 percent. 

“With KALAP, our small farmers have a chance to scale up because they will have big-brother corporations guiding them every step of the way. I am confident that with KALAP, our Philippine agriculture products – like the locally made products and services from our millions of MSMEs – will be ready to scale up and do their part in moving the Philippines closer towards becoming an industrialized country,” said Concepcion.