I read with interest a recent national survey among Filipino voters. It said that Filipinos prioritize food security and creating more job opportunities when choosing which candidates to vote for in the coming general elections this May.

Few, I think, were surprised by the results. I believe there is a Tagalog expression, “malapit sa sikmura,” that captures this sentiment. For a nation like the Philippines, nothing hits harder than not having enough food on the table. Jobs, especially, mean so much to the Filipino. I believe, by and large, Pinoys value dignity and hard work. More than doleouts, Filipinos value the opportunity to fight fair because this will fill more than their stomachs and feed them for more than a day. I think the term of the moment is “lumalaban ng patas.”

I think of these things as we are only a week away from when Filipinos are to cast their votes for candidates to fill national and local positions. I mention both national and local elections because MSMEs need support at these two levels, and MSMEs are crucial for our broader goal of inclusive and sustainable economic development.

Putting the welfare of MSMEs on a candidate’s platform will surely resonate with many sectors in our country. MSMEs generate so much employment, especially outside the urban centers where jobs are most needed, and especially for people who may not have had enough access to education or other opportunities.

Filipinos who depend on the MSME sector number in the millions. According to the last annual survey of Philippine business and industry of the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are some 1,241,733 business enterprises operating as MSMEs in the country, accounting for almost all (99.63 percent) of the total. The ADB Asia SME Monitor 2024 estimates that more than 6.3 million Filipinos are employed by MSMEs, representing more than half of the jobs.

These figures are closely echoed throughout ASEAN, where MSMEs are receiving greater recognition for their contribution to a nation’s economic development. Among our more prosperous neighbors in the region, a robust network of thriving MSMEs contributes to a vibrant national economy. As micro businesses evolve into small ones, small ones grow into medium enterprises and medium ones expand into larger companies, we foster a continuous flow of businesses that bolster the economy. It’s akin to constructing a house on several solid foundations that are consistently maintained and updated.

We need elected officials who have MSMEs on their legislative agenda. We need leaders who appreciate the role of MSMEs in creating jobs and livelihoods and in uplifting families and communities. This coming election will be our chance to elect into office the public servants who will focus on real, shared prosperity, especially among those at the bottom of the pyramid.

And it’s not just national officials, but local leaders as well, who possess the power to significantly aid MSMEs. The success of Go Negosyo’s provincial roadshows and school programs hinges on the help of local governments. They are our link to the communities, and they inform our programs. Imagine the impact if entrepreneurship-centered initiatives were formally integrated at the local level, with every barangay captain, town councilor, council member, mayor, governor or congressman prioritizing our entrepreneurs, especially the micro and small ones. Now imagine that amplified by the help of legislation at the national level. We would be helping the hardworking negosyantes, the nanays, the small entrepreneurs who are trying to better their lives through entrepreneurship. When you help MSMEs, you help hardworking Filipinos.

This goes hand-in-hand with efforts to upskill our workforce. If more Filipinos had more sources for both jobs and livelihood, we would be able to increase their spending power and fuel the economy. An inclusive economy is more stable because it creates broader opportunities.

This is why the private sector has a stake in both jobs and education. They need a competitive workforce and they need an active consumer base as well as a sustainable, inclusive economy to keep the wheels of business turning. A happy, prosperous people will reject instability. Fostering economic growth that doesn’t exclude the broader base of the population but rather makes them part of the ecosystem goes beyond altruism – it’s just good business sense.

The elections will be held midway through President Marcos’ term. The President is already doing so much to help our small entrepreneurs get a leg up, and he is very supportive of efforts to upskill our workforce. To get to a point where we don’t need to talk about minimum wage or displaced workers or hungry Filipinos, we need both the public and private sectors working together.

As we approach this pivotal election, let us remember that the choices we make will shape the future of our economy and the lives of millions of Filipinos, especially at this crucial era when our region is touted to have one of the strongest economies of the future. Supporting candidates who prioritize MSMEs is not just about securing jobs; it’s about fostering resilience and dignity within our communities. By electing leaders who understand the vital role of small businesses in driving inclusive growth, we can ensure that opportunities are accessible to all.

We should work toward that vision where every Filipino has the chance to thrive, where entrepreneurship is celebrated and where we build a stronger, more equitable economy for generations to come.

Our votes can be the catalyst for meaningful change. The choices we will make this May have the power to shape the future of our economy and the lives of millions of Filipinos.

Originally Published in Philippine Star