Digitalization has been around in the country for some time and now, and we are starting to see its positive impact on the transition of brick-and-mortar businesses to innovative digital enterprises. We aim that this movement will reach more businesses in order to achieve the mission of prosperity for all. This is why in Go Negosyo, we believe that digitalization can play a crucial role in inclusive growth and poverty alleviation through job generation and micro, small, and medium enterprises development.

Our Angat Lahat sa Digital Alliance, a group of digital platforms working within different industries promoting digitalization among MSMEs continuously collaborates in order to encourage more enterprises to go digital. The alliance’s dream is for Filipinos to become self-earning entrepreneurs through digital platforms.

Since we have proven that partnership with the public and private sector is crucial in the goal of inclusivity, we met with TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapena early this year to discuss opportunities for collaboration between Go Negosyo and TESDA. Apart from sharing the advocacy and the programs that we are doing, the discussion revolved on how TESDA graduates can be employed by businesses right after their certifications.

We see our involvement by linking graduates to employment opportunities through the digital platforms which are members of our alliance. Most of the platforms are service-based and are in constant need of workers. From massage therapists for Zennya, to plumbers and mechanics for Gawin.ph, the options are endless. With this collaboration, TESDA graduates can make use of their knowledge and skills in order to earn a sustainable income.

As a follow-through to our initial meeting, Zennya, Gawin.ph, and Teko.ph all agreed to collaborate with TESDA by integrating graduates in their services and operations. Go Negosyo played a big part in setting up the meetings and linkages.

Just recently, Sec. Lapena and TESDA launched 911 TESDA, a web-based platform that provides clients and customers with reliable TESDA graduates who can provide various services. Home improvements and repairs, transport and logistics, and health and wellness are just some of their offerings.

The platform was born and inspired by a series of meetings and by suggesting to TESDA that the alliance of digital platforms can take its part in the initiative by hiring graduates from their programs.

911 TESDA aims to “respond to the demand for quality services of communities through digital platforms; address the needs for skilled workers in the emerging digital sector, and provide employment opportunities and increase the income of certified workers.” While the program is only operational in Mega Manila, which includes some of the major provinces in Luzon, we hope that this initiative can grow nationwide helping more TESDA graduates regionally.

This is one great example of how digitalization in job creation and livelihood generation works and how institutions and the government can work together. There are still more that digitalization can offer and our Angat Lahat sa Digital Alliance is ready to partner with other agencies that need their support.

In relation to our digital initiatives, last Tuesday, my office as the presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, in partnership with Go Negosyo, had an insightful session with Globe Telecom Inc., one of the leading telecom companies in the country. Our senior adviser for ASEAN BAC Philippines chair and adviser for Go Negosyo Angat Lahat sa Digital Jopin Romero led the discussion on how Globe plays its part in digital transformation in the country.

Together with the members of the digital alliance, partners and other stakeholders, Globe’s president and CEO Ernest Cu shared how Globe through its arm Globe myBusiness, works with MSMEs in utilizing products and services to uplift the status of their business operations.

“At Globe, we continue to maximize the platform to enable businesses and empower lives through digital,” Ernest said during the discussion. He also shared that Globe does not only aim to be the country’s top telco company, but also it continues to work on being a platform that enables businesses in providing solutions to its customers, empowering more lives through digitalization.

We still have a long way to go in fully digitalizing the country, but through the active participation of private companies and government agencies, we will surely achieve digital prosperity.