MSMEs urge to scale up and take advantage of PH economic recovery

By Alithea De Jesus

With the opening of the economy and on our way to recovery, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez called on the 52 graduates comprising of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the trade agency’s 3A (Accept, Adapt, and Act) Program to scale up as the country gradually reopens the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Addressing the Batch 1 graduates during their virtual graduation ceremony on 12 February 2021, Sec. Lopez said: “You should scale up so as to take advantage of the country’s economic recovery. I’m sure you have learned a lot from the mentors, and applying these principles you’ve learned from the program and the intensive mentorship will make you advance in your entrepreneurial journey towards eventual success.” 

The 3A Program is supported by the DTI’s Regional Operations Group (ROG), Bureau of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED), and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) to help MSMEs affected by the pandemic. 

DTI-ROG Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona said: “The 3A Program has become inspirational, informational, instructional, and transformational for our MSMEs in helping them adjust in the New Normal.” 

Meanwhile, PTTC Executive Director Nelly Dillera said that the 3A program helps MSMEs “to be relevant and responsive to the demands of the time, and the sure way to go for them is to reskill and upskill.” 

Launched in December 2020, the 3A Program produced 80 scholars, with 52 making it to the recital session where they took part in a business plan presentation that assesses whether they are already capable of opening a business and are eligible to receive the livelihood kits from the DTI regional offices. 

From 52 scholars, 31 were recommended by the 3A mentors as eligible to be awarded with livelihood kits while the remaining were endorsed to their respective DTI regional offices for reassessment in order to be eligible for the same assistance. The drill master session for scholars who received their kits will start on 19 February 2021 to monitor their progress.  

The graduates were awarded with livelihood support packages that they can use to start their own business. The 3A Program is just one of the DTI’s programs that focus on assisting individuals or entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic. 

The mentors involved in guiding the first batch of the entrepreneurship program were Mr. Dean Pax Lapid, Mr. Jorge Wieneke, Ms. Jenny Wieneke, Mr. Armand Bengco, Ms. Tess Dimaculangan, and Mr. Carlo Calimon, and Mr. Francis Carlo Lapid.  

While the 3A Program is focused on entrepreneurial development and planning in early-stage ventures, the BEST Bootcamp also offers the Resilience, Recovery, and Rebuild (3R) Program, which focuses on entrepreneurial re-alignment, pivots, and a balanced planning in running existing business ventures. 

“With our economy recovering, we can be more hopeful of a post-COVID future that is designed for a Better Normal. That’s why DTI remains committed to assist our MSMEs as they will provide the boost for our economy’s growth to pre-COVID levels and beyond,” the trade chief added. 

To learn more about the 3A Program, email DTI at BEST@pttc.gov.ph.