This could be one of the catchy titles of my column but to clarify – former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go fully pledges support to Go Negosyo and our goal of micro, small and medium enterprise development during our Mentor Me On Wheels which happened last Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019 at SM Megamall. He commits to helping microentrepreneurs scale up through various programs that would ease business processes.

In his speech, he said: “Napakalaking tulong itong programang Mentor Me ni PA Joey Concepcion para sa mga maliliit na negosyo at negosyante. Mahalaga para sa akin ang kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan lalo na ang mga micro, small at medium enterprises. Sinusuportahan ko ang mga kababayan natin na nagnanais na magtayo ng negosyo upang maiangat ang sarili at ang pamilya. I am really honored to speak before you and to be invited here at Mentor Me. Asahan ninyo na patuloy nating susuportahan ang programa ng Go Negosyo. Papalawigin natin ang pagkakaroon ng libreng seminar at training gaya ng adbokasiya ng Go Negosyo.”

Bong has been supportive of all the programs of Go Negosyo. He has been instrumental in highlighting MSME development in the President’s agenda. Since President Duterte’s mandate is to support inclusivity most especially the growth of micro and small entrepreneurs, Bong is one of the reasons why our programs on entrepreneurship for the past three years has been supported by the President. Basically, with the private sector and the government partnering together in helping our MSMEs in the Philippines proves that entrepreneurs is in the President’s mission.

This is not the first time he attended our mentoring session. He actually attended one of the first launches of this type of mentoring session in Davao last July 2018 wherein he got to meet and interact with aspiring and existing micro entrepreneurs in the President’s hometown.

The mentoring session was also historical as the two of the biggest franchise organizations in the country – Philippine Franchise Association and Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. joined forces in guiding our mentees. We had more than 100 franchise owners last Tuesday who mentored more than 600 mentees the whole day. We were joined also by Philippe J. Lhuiller, Philippine Ambassador to Spain; Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, Rikki Dee, president of Foodlink Group; Henry Lim Bon Liong, CEO of SL Agritech Corp.; Johnlu Koa, president and CEO of French Baker; Samie Lim, chairman emeritus of PFA; Richard Sanz, president of PFA and Bibingkinitan; Joyce Co-Yu, president of AFFI and owner of Trueblends Tea and Coffee; Eric Caeg, chairman of AFFI and president and CEO of RAP Training and Marketing Services; and Jorge Wieneke, vice president of AFFI and president and CEO of Tokyo Tempura.

Samie Lim, who is considered as the “Father of Franchising in the Philippines,” also gave an inspiring message which highlighted the importance of strengthening the business sector through franchising: “PFA also believes that mentorship is the key to building a strong middle class that will ensure long term growth of the country… PFA has always been generous in sharing its advocacies to all who wants to learn.”

PFA and AFFI have been active partners of Go Negosyo for the many years. Their members have been mentoring our micro and small entrepreneurs in several occasions. This is one great example of a successful mentorship.

Ambassador Philippe Lhuiller also graced the program. He said, “Drawing from my experience as a businessman, I have seen the great benefits of MSME as the backbone of the Philippine economy. MSME creates livelihood, contributes to economic development, and allows Filipinos to be more financially capable to provide for their families.” Ambassador Philippe is also eager to introduce and promote franchising to our OFWs abroad. “I strongly believe that franchising provides better opportunities for OFWs, as it allows them to channel their remittances into more productive ventures like investments and commercial activities that generate more wealth and value for their families back home.”

This 2019, we are targeting to reach more cities and municipalities across the country and mentor the aspiring and existing micro and small entrepreneurs through our different mentorship programs such as Kapatid Mentor Me Program, Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program and Mentor Me On Wheels.