I was at the Malacañang Palace last week to join DTI Sec. Cris Roque, as part of my duties as vice chair of the MSME Development Council (of which Sec. Cris is the chair), for the awarding ceremonies of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs and Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners. The honors are given to exceptional MSMEs across various sectors, as well as to organizations that create programs that support MSMEs. The program is pursuant to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, or RA 9501, and is conducted by the DTI and MSME Development Council.

Representing President Marcos Jr. was Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. Already it was such an honor to be at this event, but I was in for an even bigger surprise when ES Bersamin introduced me as an “icon” during the ceremonies. Of course, I was speechless. What does one say when called such a heavily laden word that connotes positive influence and significance?

Now, I don’t know about you, but for a college dropout like yours truly, to be called an “icon” by someone so respected, and in the company of people also deserving of admiration, is indeed an honor. To be called an icon carries with it so much weight that I had to take a step back and take it into context; that is, I was in the company of outstanding entrepreneurs and hardworking public servants and academics whom we were there to honor.

Consider also that the winning MSMEs were chosen based on solid categories and not just financial success: namely market development; technology and innovation; human resource development; sustainability, community linkages and environmental impact and financial management.

How can one not help but be awed by Filipino MSMEs? Take, as a sample, the MSMEs we honored at the awards:

The Lanao del Norte-based Heaven’s Bakehaus & Enterprises was the awardee in the micro category. It was founded in 2012 by policeman Marc Claro and his wife Roly Ann, with only P5,000 in initial capital. The business is known for its Piaya de Iligan, and for employing the marginalized, including out-of-school youths and persons with disabilities.

The Pangasinan-based Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corp., recipient of the Presidential Award in the medium enterprises category, was founded as a social enterprise fighting malnutrition through science-based food. With 90 percent of its P367.87-million sales coming from government partnerships, the company grew 550.4 percent in just three years, and expanded its employee base from seven to 186.

Along with these winners, the finalists were Agriko Multi-Trade & Enterprise Corporation, House of Musa-Runway Fashion-Travel and Entertainment Production, Gift of Grace Food Manufacturing Corporation, Tonio’s Sisig, Innovention Food Resources Inc. and Siargao’s Bounty Seafoods Corporation.

The story of these outstanding MSMEs proved just how important it is to have a supportive environment for them to scale up. That’s why alongside the MSMEs, the organizations that create programs that support MSMEs were similarly given recognition through the Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners. Recipients were the Local Government of Iriga City, Cagayan State University-Electromobility Research and Development Center (eMRDC), University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI), Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. (DCCCII) and Provincial Government of Tarlac-Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO).

All this can only be possible through supportive leadership. President Marcos’ revival last year of these awards after nearly 15 years was a big step in assuring our MSMEs that they will play a big part in moving our country forward. Also, there are clear-cut plans for how MSMEs can fulfill their role. The government has made it clear that it plans to build our country’s MSME sector by bridging gaps in capital access, financing and marketing, and emphasizing the importance of digital transformation, as well as the role of the youth and women entrepreneurs, as well as community-based enterprises.

In his Message of Appreciation delivered by Bersamin, the President said that the awardees raised standards of excellence for fellow entrepreneurs and created countless opportunities for others. He praised the Outstanding Development Partners, meanwhile, for creating an environment where MSMEs can grow, compete and thrive. Sec. Cris encouraged MSMEs to “keep growing, keep going and keep striving for excellence.”

It is heartening to see how government and private sector work together to implement these programs that support MSMEs. As ES Bersamin aptly said, we must ensure that the door is kept wide open so that any Filipino can dream big and succeed as an entrepreneur.

Which brings me back to that word: icon. What truly makes someone iconic is their ability to spark change and uplift those around them. Every day, Filipino MSMEs cultivate and illuminate the path for others, reminding us that every small contribution plays a vital role in shaping our world. Let’s honor these unsung heroes who make our economy thrive.

Originally Published in Philippine Star