Non-profit organization Go Negosyo conducted Entrepreneurship Mindsetting seminars and entrepreneurship mentoring for the soon-to-be displaced Sofitel Philippine Plaza employees last June 10 and 11, 2024. The mentoring is part of the Malasakit Transition Program conducted for the employees alongside the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Social Security System.

“We were asked by the First Lady what we could do for these displaced workers,” related Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion. “A lot of these employees are veterans in the tourism industry and I am sure they will have a lot to contribute when they start their own businesses given their real-world experiences in hospitality,” he said.

The program aims to support employees by providing alternative pathways through entrepreneurship and guiding them about available business ventures they can pursue. It will also connect employees with financial resources, market partners, and other business opportunities aligned with their entrepreneurial plans.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza had earlier announced that it will cease operations on July 1, leaving 480 employees affected by the closure. The number does not include casual employees and indirect hires. Many of the employees are middle-aged or nearing retirement and are hesitant to pursue employment in another hotel despite more than a hundred companies having written the hotel to offer employment to the displaced workers.

Many of the employees said they would rather explore entrepreneurship and use their separation pay as starting capital for businesses.

The hotel will be fully operational until June 30.