'Go Negosyo' fetes Bulakenyos

MALOLOS CITY – The Go Negosyo movement, led by entrepreneur Joey Concepcion, feted 18 most inspiring Bulakenyo entrepreneurs at the Centro Escolar University Centrodome here yesterday.

Ten of the awardees received “Most Inspiring Small and Medium Entrepreneurs” awards, six were given the “Most Inspiring Micro-Entrepreneurs” awards, while two received a special award for institutions.

The 10 most inspiring small and medium entrepreneurs are Dr. Abraham Pascual of Pascual Laboratories Inc., Ambassador Jesus Tambunting of Planters Bank, Jovenson Ong of Dragon Fireworks Inc., Nestor Santiago of the Bulacan Garden Corp., Jose Hernandez Jr. of Milko Ice Cream Specialties;

Enrico Roque of the Bodega ng Bayan, shoemaker Donald Esterban of Proest Philippines Inc., educator Dr. Alicia Bustos of the Baliuag University, Gemma Sevilla-Alcantara of the pastillas making Sevilla Sweets, and Dr. Isabel Lopez-Nazal of the Clinica Dermatologica YSA Skin Care Center.

The six most inspiring Bulakenyo micro-entrepreneurs are Arnel Papa of ER Shell Craft, Ramon Santos of Disenyo Pandi-Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative, master baker Teresita Castro-Boado of Barasoain Bakeshop, farmer and dairy man Carlito del Rosario of the Sta. Maria Dairy Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc., Corazon de la Cruz of LCJ Garments, and Teddy Bequizo of Buntal Ethnic Enterprises.

The institutional awardees are Dr. Cristina Padolina of Centro Escolar University and Dr. Antonio B. Fortuna of the St. Martin of Tours Credit & Development Cooperative.

Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde told The STAR that the awards aim to fight poverty by encouraging people to go into entrepreneurship.

“We go from one city to another to further promote entrepreneurship,” Remonde, said, noting that Bulacan is one of the most progressive provinces in the country.

“We are celebrating the success of the Bulakenyo entrepreneurs today.”

Remonde said that many Bulakenyo entrepreneurs have become a model for those who want to go into business.

Gov. Joselito Mendoza said that the Go Negosyo awards are a big boost to local entrepreneurs and will encourage more people to set up business in Bulacan.

“We are now working towards the achievement of a dream for Bulacan to become the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) capital in the country,” he said.

Mendoza said that there are over 42,000 registered SMEs in Bulacan along with thousands of micro enterprises assisted by about a thousand cooperatives.

He stressed that local cooperatives serve as the backbone of the local economy through their micro-finance programs.