The principal sponsors, government officials and enablers of the “Negosyo Para sa Kapayapaan sa Sulu” project: (first row, from left) Manny Pangilinan of the MVP Group; Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments Corporation; Secretary Jess Dureza of Peace Process; Sec. Manny Piñol of Agriculture; PA Joey Concepcion; President Rodrigo Duterte; former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Sec. Ramon Lopez of Trade and Industry; Datu Shah Bandar Abdusakur Tan; Gov. Abdusakur “Toto” Tan II of Sulu; Ginggay Hontiveros; and Henry Lim Bon Liong of SL Agritech Corporation; (second row) Merly Cruz of Go Negosyo; Robina Gokongwei-Pe of Robinsons Retail Holdings; Marissa Concepcion; Tony Meloto, of Gawad Kalinga; George Barcelon of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Michael Tan of LT Group and Asia Brewery Corporation; Manny Osmeña of the Manny O. Group; Luis Oquinena of Gawad Kalinga; Atty. Mike Toledo of the MVP Group of Companies Media Bureau; Joseph Chua of Macroasia Corporation; Babe Romualdez of Stargate Media Corporation; Sammy Uy of Davao Import Distributors Inc; Alfredo Yao of Zesto Corporation; and William Belo of Wilcon Depot.

The year 2016 was a year of change for all of us. With President Duterte as the head of the government, the promised change is now beginning to unfold. We are looking forward to more developments in our country in the next few years.

As for Go Negosyo, it has been a busy but very productive year. We have launched programs nationwide that will help in the mission of helping Filipinos improve their lives through entrepreneurship. Our “Kapatid, Angat Lahat” program will continue its mission to achieve inclusive growth for all.

As presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, I intend to develop more programs that will help micro and small entrepreneurs scale up. And with Sec. Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry, we will create a stronger partnership between the public and private sector for a better economy.

We look forward to more programs with government agencies and fellow private-sector advocates. May 2017 be a year of prosperity for all.

Here’s a quick roundup of what happened in Go Negosyo in 2016.