Former National Competitiveness Council co-chair Bill Luz, DTI Undersecretary Rowel Barba, and Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion discuss the government mindset in facilitating the ease of doing business at the National MSME Summit 2018.

In continuing our advocacy to help micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs, we supported Secretary Mon Lopez and the Department of Trade and Industry’s National MSME Development Summit last July 10 at the ASEAN Convention Center, Clark, Pampanga. As the vice chair of the National MSMED Council, it is my duty to be part of this momentous gathering of mentors and micro and small entrepreneurs.

Host RJ Ledesma

Go Negosyo mentors Paulo Tibig, Jorge Wieneke and Dean Pax Lapid, together with Pablo “Chef Boy” Logro and Rep. Peter Unabia

I joined the forum with DTI Undersecretary Rowel Barba to discuss the government mindset in facilitating the ease of doing business. The private sector is one with the government in creating a healthy entrepreneurship environment for all Filipinos.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez shows the top local products to President Rodrigo Duterte and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

With (from left) Gabby Cui, Carlo Calimon, Paulo Tibig, Vix Madlangbayan, Jorge Wieneke, Mon Lopez, Dean Pax Lapid and Jenny Wieneke

President Rodrigo Duterte also graced the summit and discussed the ease of doing business in his speech. Implementing stricter regulations in providing business permits and other documents will really encourage our MSMEs to pursue entrepreneurship.

Wilcon Depot’s William Belo mentors a micro-entrepreneur at Mentor Me On Wheels Pampanga.

I mentored Marites Lareza, owner of Lifer Zest, which sells health and wellness products. Over 100 mentees were mentored on the fourth leg of Mentor Me on Wheels.

We also had a free one-on-one mentoring session alongside the plenary. We brought Mentor Me on Wheels and more than 100 mentees were mentored by Henry Lim Bon Liong, William Belo, Sec. Lopez and 60 mentors on-site.

Sec. Lopez joins the one-on-one mentoring session on the fourth leg of Mentor Me on Wheels in Clark, Pampanga.

Henry Tenedero and Roman Buyson

We brought mentorship to the MSMEs in Clark, where I personally mentored Marites Clareza, the owner of Lifer Zest, which sells products that promote hair growth.

Pruds Garcia and Alex Flores

With Mylene Abiva, Henry Lim Bon Liong, and Sandy Montano

I was also joined by Sec. Mon in launching the Mentor Me mobile application. Through this latest development, we connect mentors with their mentees at their most convenient time and location. It is available for download in the Google Play Store.

Sec. Lopez with Session 5 panelists Flordeliza Leong, Clarke Nebrao, Josiah Go, Usec. Nora Terrado, Maria Franchesca Tan, Willy Arcilla, Raymond Alimurung and Mark Joseph Panganiban

With the student volunteers from Holy Angel University and mentor Alex Pasia
All these efforts are being done to help President Duterte realize his vision for every Filipino to prosper in an inclusive economy.