Duterte leads Davao MSEs

DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte has been named as “Kuya Rody” to micro and small entrepreneurs during the Mentor Me Program launch of Go Negosyo and Department of Trade and Industry in Marco Polo, Davao City last October 7, 2016.

“Kuya Rody will be our champion big brother for all kapatid. We will be with you for the next years that you have in office and you have definitely the full confidence of our entrepreneurs and the private sector. Together with our trade secretary Ramon Lopez, we are committed in helping you solve poverty in our country today through entrepreneurship”, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepion said.

President Duterte attended the town hall discussion on stage with 20 micro and small entrepreneurs who had the chance to ask him on his MSME development plans.

He also invited Imelda Basilan, a micro-entrepreneur from the audience and interviewed her about her business and her struggles as an entrepreneur. She is a maruya (banana fritter) vendor for 15 years in Claveria, Davao. Everyday, she cooks 70 kilos of banana. After a whole day of cooking and selling, she only earns an average of P400.00 per day. But because of her perseverance, she was able to provide her children with proper education. She aspires to grow her business and have her own store for her products.

Moreover, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez presented the achievement of DTI in the first 100 days of office which included the developments Kapatid, Angat Lahat program, a joint undertaking of Go Negosyo and DTI that is envisioned to bring in an entrepreneurial culture geared towards a more prosperous nation.

During the Mentor Me Program launch, more than 100 medium and large scale entrepreneurs attended the event and flew all the way from Manila to Davao to mentor, share their stories, expertise, and business advice to all micro and small entrepreneurs in the audience. It was jampacked with close to 700 MSMEs who joined the forum, mentorship and the Presidential Townhall.