Concepcion thanks BBM for reviving Presidential MSME awards

MANILA, Philippines — Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion thanked President Marcos and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual for awarding on July 10 the winners of the Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs at Malacañang.

Awards were conferred for the first time in 15 years after the event went through a hiatus.

A chocolate maker from Davao and a bamboo treatment cooperative from Negros Oriental became the first recipients of the award.

Davao-based Malagos Agri-Ventures won the medium enterprises category and Negros Oriental-based Kawayan Collective won the small enterprise category.

Malagos Agri-Ventures produces the internationally acclaimed Malagos Chocolate and has won recognition for fair trade practices with local cacao farmers.

Kawayan Collective specializes in bamboo treatment to create products such as engineered panels, prefabrication models and starter house kits, leveraging the expertise of traditional bamboo craftsmen.

Other finalists were HeySuccess Virtual Assistance Services (Northern Luzon), Ai-She Footwear and Tropical Palm Herb Mfg. (Southern Luzon), Jojie’s Bakeshop (Visayas) and Nelly Coffee and Tablea (Mindanao).

“(The winners) show us what an ideal enterprise looks like: environmentally conscious, community-driven and socially responsible,” Marcos said.

The President also announced an executive order institutionalizing the MSME Development Plan 2023-2028.

The Department of Trade and Industry is working with the MSME Development Council to finalize the EO, he added.

The MSME Development Council is chaired by Pascual, with Concepcion as vice chair.

“The story of these finalists proved just how important it is for MSMEs to have access to money, markets and mentoring in order for them to scale up,” Concepcion said.

Winners were chosen based on market development, technology and innovation, human resource development, sustainability, community linkages and environmental impact and financial management.

Aside from outstanding MSMEs, the 2024 Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners was also awarded to 18 recipients.