NRCG renews commitment to strengthen MSME resilience
BUTUAN CITY -- The national MSME Resilience Core Group
(RCG), co-chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), with the Philippine
Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and other partners, reaffirmed its
commitment to strengthening the disaster resilience of micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) during an online event last July 29.
More than 250 participants from the MSME sector, government and local
representatives, academe, and the general public attended the 2021 MSME
Resilience E-Forum with the theme “Trabahong Sigurado, Negosyong Matatag,
Kabuhayang Nagpapatuloy.”
The e-forum presented the accomplishments and best practices of the MSME
RCG and did a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding among all
the members of the group as they reaffirmed this public-private
partnership and mapped out next steps to support small businesses.
Another part of the forum showcased stories of hope and innovation in
adapting to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resource speakers including Engr. Cherrys Abrigo of Sierreza, Vice
President Jaypee Soliman of UnionBank of the Philippines, and Dir. Nigel
Ebba of Bellevue Hotels and Resorts shared their resilience initiatives and
highlighted the benefits of community-supported agriculture and the importance
of advancing fintech to support MSME resilience and ensuring productivity through
workplace safety.
PDRF President Rene Meily enumerated some of the tools and resources
developed to support small businesses including the MSME Guidebook for Disaster
Resilience, the SIKAP (Synergizing Recovery Initiatives, Knowledge, and
Adaptation Practices for MSMEs) digital hub, the Katatagan-in-a-Box mobile app,
and the DIMATINAG comic book spotlighting business continuity.
“Here in the Philippines, if we can work together to promote and protect
small businesses, we can save many of our fellow Filipinos from despair and
desolation and lead them into the sunlight that surely awaits us all once this
pandemic ends,” said Meily.
PCCI Chairman Apolinar E. Aure described the struggles endured by the
group to reinforce their advocacy and expressed his hope that the members can
sustain, build on, and share what they have learned about dealing with adverse
impacts of crises.
“In the Philippines, we cannot deny that natural hazards are really part
of our DNA as a country because of our location. Nevertheless, we hope that
when the time comes, we pass this test with flying colors,” said Aure.
In her keynote address, DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona
presented the current initiatives of the DTI aimed at supporting Filipino
MSMEs. She emphasized the need for enhanced management and labor capacities and
improved access to technology and innovation.
“Let us be mindful that resilience and disaster management is a
multi-agency, multi-stakeholders' concern. No one is safe until everyone is
safe. All of us are expected to act proactively to ensure the resilience of our
businesses, livelihood, family, and community. We encourage everyone to access
related programs and interventions both from the public and private sectors and
maximize their benefits," ” said Usec. Lantayona.
Established in 2016, the MSME Resilience Core Group is composed of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management-Philippines, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center. The group aims to strengthen the disaster resilience of MSMEs in the Philippines through the national roadmap and action plan. (PDRF/PIA-Caraga)
