Legarda on MSME Day: ‘Hindi lang negosyo, dito nagsisimula ang pangarap na nagiging hanapbuhay’

Senator Loren Legarda joined the nation in celebrating Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day on June 27, affirming the role of small businesses as the everyday lifeblood of Filipino communities. She shared that MSMEs are more than enterprises; they are living stories of perseverance and hope, carrying with them the dreams that grow into livelihoods for countless families.

“Hindi lang negosyo ang MSMEs, dito nagsisimula ang pangarap na nagiging hanapbuhay. Kapag may maliit na tindahan, may pamilyang umaasa. Kapag may sari-sari store, may kabataan na napapaaral. Kapag may maliit na pagawaan, may komunidad na nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. MSMEs are the everyday proof that dreams can grow into livelihoods,” Legarda said.

Legarda underscored her legislative work that has consistently placed MSMEs at the center of national development. She authored and principally sponsored Republic Act No. 9501 or the Magna Carta for MSMEs, which institutionalized support for small enterprises across all productive sectors. She also served as principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act, ensuring that innovation and creativity empower MSMEs and strengthen research across government, industry, and academia. As co-author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, she helped establish Negosyo Centers nationwide to provide training and market linkages. She likewise served as Principal Author of Republic Act No. 10693 or the Microfinance NGOs Act, which expanded access to microfinance for small entrepreneurs, and as Principal Author and Principal Sponsor of Republic Act No. 9509 or the Barangay Livelihood and Skills Training Act of 2008, which brought skills development directly to communities.

Legarda has consistently backed livelihood programs that translate policy into support on the ground. Through initiatives of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Shared Service Facilities (DTI SSF), Department of Labor and Employment’s Kabuhayan Program, Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (DSWD SLP), and Department of Science and Technology’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (DOST CEST), communities gain access to machinery, technical assistance, product development, and market-ready skills that help MSMEs grow into viable businesses.

She also envisioned and initiated the National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF) in 2016, which continues to give local artisans, MSMEs, and indigenous communities national exposure and market opportunities. The annual fair has become a venue for products to reach buyers and visitors from across the country, helping them connect to bigger markets and sustain their livelihoods.

In Antique, her hometown, Legarda pushed for Tindahang Lokal, a permanent hub for MSMEs where farmers, fisherfolk, and artisans can display and sell their products. From weaving and bamboo crafts to food processing and eco-friendly creations, the initiative has given local entrepreneurs a platform to reach wider markets while preserving traditional practices.

Beyond these platforms, Legarda has supported women-led MSMEs that promote sustainable livelihoods, with thousands of women benefiting from initiatives ranging from climate-resilient enterprise development in post-disaster areas to the promotion of local weaving, food processing, and eco-friendly crafts in provinces nationwide.

Legarda’s comprehensive approach links past achievements with forward-looking legislation designed to reinforce every stage of enterprise development. Her proposed Pangkabuhayan Act of 2025 (SBN 160) institutionalizes capital assistance and livelihood support for marginalized individuals and communities. The proposed Sustainable Livelihood Program Act (SBN 787) guarantees continuity and improvement of DSWD’s SLP model, creating more resilient livelihood networks nationwide. Complementing these measures, the proposed Enterprise Productivity Act (SBN 1260) aims to modernize enterprise operations through innovation and capacity building, while the proposed Shared Service Facilities Act (SBN 1254) ensures that MSMEs gain access to machinery, technology, and common production hubs that raise quality and competitiveness.

Figures from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2024 show that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up 99.63 percent of registered businesses in the country, or 1,236,908 out of 1,241,476 establishments. MSMEs also provide 66.58 percent of total employment nationwide, equivalent to 6,252,202 jobs. Globally, the United Nations recognizes MSMEs as vital drivers of inclusive growth, representing around 90 percent of businesses worldwide, generating over 60 percent of employment, and contributing about half of global GDP.

“Kung tutuusin, MSMEs ang tunay na bida sa barangay. Sila ang nagdadala ng kita sa palengke, sila ang gumagawa ng mga produkto na proud tayong tawaging atin. Kapag pinalalakas natin sila, mas ramdam ng tao ang progreso dahil ang kabuhayan, hindi lang nasa malalaking kumpanya, kundi nasa bawat komunidad,” Legarda said.

The observance of MSMEs Day on June 27 highlighted the vital role of small businesses in sustaining communities and driving inclusive growth. (30)

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Legarda sa MSME Day: ‘Hindi lang negosyo, dito nagsisimula ang pangarap na nagiging hanapbuhay’

Nakiisa si Senator Loren Legarda sa pagdiriwang ng Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day noong Hunyo 27, at kinilala ang mahalagang papel ng maliliit na negosyo bilang araw-araw na daluyan ng kabuhayan sa mga komunidad. Ibinahagi niya na ang MSME ay higit pa sa mga Negosyo kundi mga kuwento ng tiyaga at pag-asa, dala ang mga pangarap na nagiging hanapbuhay para sa maraming pamilya.

“Hindi lang negosyo ang MSMEs, dito nagsisimula ang pangarap na nagiging hanapbuhay. Kapag may maliit na tindahan, may pamilyang umaasa. Kapag may sari-sari store, may kabataan na napapaaral. Kapag may maliit na pagawaan, may komunidad na nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. MSMEs are the everyday proof that dreams can grow into livelihoods,” ani Legarda.

Binigyang-diin ni Legarda ang kanyang mga batas na patuloy na naglalagay sa MSMEs sa sentro ng pambansang kaunlaran. Siya ang Principal Author at Principal Sponsor ng Republic Act No. 9501 o Magna Carta for MSMEs, na nag-institusyonal ng suporta sa maliliit na negosyo sa iba’t ibang sektor. Siya rin ang Principal Author at Co-Sponsor ng Republic Act No. 11293 o Philippine Innovation Act, na nagtitiyak na ang inobasyon at pagkamalikhain ay nagbibigay-lakas sa MSMEs. Bilang Co-Author at Co-Sponsor ng Republic Act No. 10644 o Go Negosyo Act, nakatulong siyang magtatag ng Negosyo Centers sa buong bansa. Siya rin ang Principal Author ng Republic Act No. 10693 o Microfinance NGOs Act, na nagpalawak ng akses sa microfinance para sa maliliit na negosyante, at Principal Author at Principal Sponsor ng Republic Act No. 9509 o Barangay Livelihood and Skills Training Act of 2008, na nagdala ng pagsasanay direkta sa mga komunidad.

Patuloy niyang sinuportahan ang mga programang pangkabuhayan na nagiging tulay mula sa polisiya tungo sa aktwal na tulong sa mga tao. Sa pamamagitan ng mga inisyatiba ng Department of Trade and Industry’s Shared Service Facilities (DTI SSF), Department of Labor and Employment’s Kabuhayan Program, Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (DSWD SLP), at Department of Science and Technology’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (DOST CEST), nabibigyan ng makinarya, teknikal na tulong, product development, at kasanayang pangmerkado ang mga komunidad upang lumago ang MSMEs bilang matatag na negosyo.

Noong 2016, inilunsad ni Legarda ang National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF) na patuloy na nagbibigay ng pambansang eksposyur at merkado para sa mga lokal na artisan, MSMEs, at katutubong komunidad. Ang taunang fair ay naging daan upang maabot ng kanilang mga produkto ang mas malalaking merkado at mapanatili ang kanilang kabuhayan.

Sa Antique, ang kanyang bayan, itinulak ni Legarda ang Tindahang Lokal, isang permanenteng hub para sa MSMEs kung saan maaaring ipakita at ibenta ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at artisan ang kanilang produkto. Mula sa paghahabi at bamboo crafts hanggang sa food processing at eco-friendly creations, nabigyan ng mas malawak na merkado ang mga lokal na negosyante habang napapanatili ang tradisyunal na gawi.

Bukod dito, sinuportahan ni Legarda ang mga MSMEs na pinamumunuan ng kababaihan na nagtataguyod ng sustainable livelihoods, mula sa climate-resilient enterprise development sa mga lugar na nasalanta ng kalamidad hanggang sa promosyon ng lokal na paghahabi, food processing, at eco-friendly crafts sa iba’t ibang probinsya.

Ang kanyang komprehensibong pananaw ay nag-uugnay sa mga nakaraang tagumpay at mga panukalang batas na nakatuon sa pagpapalakas ng MSMEs sa lahat ng yugto ng pag-unlad. Kabilang dito ang Pangkabuhayan Act of 2025 (SBN 160), Sustainable Livelihood Program Act (SBN 787), Enterprise Productivity Act (SBN 1260), at Shared Service Facilities Act (SBN 1254), na pawang nakatuon sa kapital, kasanayan, inobasyon, at teknolohiya para sa MSMEs.

Ayon sa datos ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noong 2024, bumubuo ang MSMEs ng 99.63 porsyento ng mga rehistradong negosyo sa bansa, o 1,236,908 mula sa 1,241,476 na establisimyento. Nagbibigay din sila ng 66.58 porsyento ng kabuuang trabaho, katumbas ng 6,252,202 na hanapbuhay. Sa pandaigdigang antas, kinikilala ng United Nations ang MSMEs bilang pangunahing tagapagtaguyod ng inclusive growth, na kumakatawan sa humigit-kumulang 90 porsyento ng mga negosyo sa buong mundo, lumilikha ng higit 60 porsyento ng trabaho, at nag-aambag ng halos kalahati ng global GDP.

“Kung tutuusin, MSMEs ang tunay na bida sa barangay. Sila ang nagdadala ng kita sa palengke, sila ang gumagawa ng mga produkto na proud tayong tawaging atin. Kapag pinapalakas natin sila, mas ramdam ng tao ang progreso, kasi ang kabuhayan, hindi lang nasa malalaking kumpanya, kundi nasa bawat komunidad,” ani Legarda.

Ang pagdiriwang ng MSMEs Day noong Hunyo 27 ay muling nagbigay-diin sa mahalagang papel ng maliliit na negosyo sa pagpapanatili ng kabuhayan at pagsulong ng inklusibong kaunlaran. (30)