Can government employees think like entrepreneurs?

If the CEO of the Philippines Inc. has to have an entrepreneurial mindset, the COO’s which in this case of Phil Inc., are the Department Secretaries, have to be enterprising as well. They must have the same basic traits of an entrepreneur which are hardwork, passion and creativity. It is also essential for the managers, supervisors and employees of Philippines Inc. to think like entrepreneurs. It would also help if the other government officials like the governors and mayors would look at their respective regions, cities and municipalities as subsidiaries of Phil Inc.

For example, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and her mayors should treat Cebu as a subsidiary to Phil Inc. Maybe that is why the President has been talking about a federal system of government. A federal system allows entrepreneurially minded regions to progress faster than others because they have more autonomy in running their respective areas. This is why the next elections is important because it allows us, the shareholders of and the subsidiaries of Phil Inc., to select the leaders which will serve as the CEO’s of each region. We must get people who possess the traits of an enterprising person. This is the only time we can start creating a culture of enterprising people in government.

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The state dinner for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was well attended by almost all the taipans of the Philippines. I sat in the table with Joey Antonio of Century Properties and Andrew Tan of Megaworld, both very successful entrepreneurs. Ambassador Donald Dee and Secretary Lotilla who were also seated beside me concurred that the year 2007 is our biggest chance to see a real Philippines take off and that the Philippines is surely gaining more respect from the Asian neighbors.

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Here is the last batch of responses from micro to small and medium entrepreneurs. They too share a positive outlook for 2007. For example, Bel-Air Brgy. Captain Constancia "Nene" Lichauco came out with a very innovative idea called the Salcedo Market which allows small and start-up entrepreneurs to build confidence in marketing their products and services. You can just imagine if we have more of these entrepreneurially minded people in government. This will surely make this country move forward.

Out of the total number of 43 entreps we featured, 100 percent felt that 2007 is going to be a good year. Let me quote what Robbie Delgado said "The Philippine economy has started to roll…The church should focus on saving souls and not interfere in government. Both church and state should focus on their goals and allow business to focus on theirs. Meanwhile, all sectors should help alleviate poverty, cooperate in providing opportunities for education and meaningful employment."

This column will continue to do its part by bringing in views from different entrepreneurs and in building confidence and optimism among Filipinos. Some people may say that because of our advocacy to push for a mindset of optimism, we are willing to let go and forget what was wrong in the past. I think what is important is we learn our lessons and move from the past, build on what we have now and share our blessings with our less-fortunate Filipino brothers.

Constancia Lichauco (Brgy. Captain, Brgy. Bel-Air and organizer of the Salcedo Weekend Community Market)

The prospects for small and medium enterprises are, I believe, good for next year, particularly if those business deal with food and food products. One thing the Salcedo Community Market has taught us is that you can never go wrong with food. I also believe that regional food delicacies show tremendous potential. There is a huge untapped potential in the regional food industry. For anyone with creative business instincts, the opportunities are stunning.

Rey Lapid (owner, R. Lapid’s Chicharon)

2007 is a lucky year for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship will rise up and will expand; business problems will definitely minimize and benefits can be granted to employees. But there must be help and support from the government agencies to sustain the necessity of entrepreneurs. I do hope that the government will find a way to improve a better system and corrective measures for the entrepreneurship. Programs like Go-Negosyo, will help SME’s gain interest in attending seminars and learn new things to widen horizons.

Ronald Pineda (owner, Folded & Hung)

I am optimistic that the economy and 2007 in general will be a very good year. To date, there is a continuous growth in small scale businesses and in the number of new entrepreneurs, thus a sign of confidence in the government and in business. In our industry, we still experience a steady growth in the demand for consumer products which translates to increase in product lines, inventory and business expansion. To sustain this, we need the continuous support of the government in terms of incentives and positive campaigns that will assist the business sector to become more productive. On our part as entrepreneurs, we should continue to perfect our craft and consistently deliver quality products and services that are at par or even above par with the international standards. But most of all, we should also be positive in all our endeavors.

Oscar Chan (owner, San Jose Kitchen Cabinets Manufacturing)

I believe the economy will grow this year, as the economists are saying. To sustain growth, we need the following: leadership with integrity, invest on infrastructure, focus on industries where we can be the best. Humility, God-centeredness and health-consciousness are core-values that should be promoted by the government. The three major institutions: Business, Church and Government must closely cooperate in solving major social issues, namely: poverty and corrupt leadership.

Teddy Sy (owner, Comic Alley)

The Philippine economy has no way to go but up. The reconciliation efforts of the current government plus administrative and policy changes has helped build confidence in business and has attracted foreign investments. Our foreign exchange rate and stock market are at high levels similar to the time prior to crisis.. With the coming 2007 elections, more money will flow into the economy further boosting growth. We need political stability to sustain growth. Opposition and administration should work together, setting aside political differences, toward a better Philippines.

Engr. Michael Rasul Abubakar (owner, M. Abubakar Consolidated Engineering [MACE], Go Negosyo-PLDT Inspiring OFW Entrepreneur Awardee)

If PROSPERITY is measured in terms of the economic gains of Sulu, one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, then the economy must be good in 2007. The activities that have affected the improvement of Sulu’s economy include the building of communities thru the subdivision in Patikul, the massive improvement in infrastructure by the Army and NAFVAC and the livelihood projects of UCPB and PBSP. All of this can only be sustainable if support for agriculture and aquaculture industries can be continued and the experienced and trained skilled workers in Sulu be given a chance to work as OFWs in Islamic and middle eastern countries by introducing recruitment general medical facilities in Sulu. Their remittances could further be used in creating communities as well as improve the techniques and livelihood of workers in the area.

Jose "Toto" Ortega Jr (inventor/proprietor, owner PIPAY, Citigroup Microentrepreneur of the Year Awardee)

The more business being established by microentreprenuers in 2007, the more our economy will become positive. W.Churchill on wartime said, "Give us tools and we will finish the job". Today, we Filipinos are experiencing a different kind of war —WAR ON POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT. It is us the MICROs who are the frontliners on this kind of war. Government policies should empower us and remove barriers that impede the growth of our enterprises. Municipalities should revise commercial zoning and give us the opportunity to position ourselves in the urban area. If we patronize our own products, our department stores will not become a factory depot of China and our own factories will not closed down and become badminton courts. If you listen to our needs and……YOU GIVE US TOOLS .WE WILL FINISH THE JOB.

Consuelo Valenzuela (owner, paKunswelo by Abay’s Souvenir, Citigroup Microentrepreneur of the Year Awardee)

Ang HALALAN 2007 ay tiyak na magdudulot ng napakaraming mga bagong pagkakataon at pamaraan, kwento at karanasan para sa ating lipunan. Ito ang nakapaloob sa Bagong Taon, at, sa tamang pagsusuri, pagpili at PANINDIGAN nakasalalay ang ating patuloy na paguhit ng kasaysayang Pilipino.

Bilang isang mangangalakal ng mga produktong sariling atin, at salamat pong muli sa pagpapahalaga ng CITIGROUP, ako po, kasama ng aking kinabibilangang sektor ay naniniwalang malaking pagkakataon ang pagpahalaga, pag-supporta, pagpapalago at pagpapatibay ng ating pamahalaan, mga lokal na pinuno at lalong higit, ng ating lipunan sa mga programang pang Kultura at Turismo.