Partnerships and the path to prosperity

After being away for about a month, I made it a point to mark my return trip with the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS). This year, it was held in Lao PDR.

At this gathering, I had the pleasure of introducing President Marcos as he delivered his keynote speech before the ASEAN leaders and private sector. Not that he needed any introduction. The President himself has often said that he considers himself the Philippines’s chief salesman, a role he has fully embraced.

In his address, President Marcos spoke at length about the current and future projects in the Philippines. His vision encompassed a wide array of sectors, including digital and physical infrastructure, disaster resilience, energy, industry, and of course, investments. The breadth and depth of his plans indicated that progress in one sector inevitably ripples out to benefit others.

The ABIS is where innovative collaborations between the private sector and policymakers are initiated. It’s a unique space where business leaders and government officials can engage in frank discussions, share insights, and forge partnerships. Given the context of the event and the audience, it was no surprise that the President emphasized how the Philippines has enacted key reforms. Foremost among these is the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, which is designed to ease the way for transformative partnerships.

I can attest that this administration has indeed put the private sector as an equal partner in the transformation of our economy. There has been a tangible shift in approach that is already yielding results. In every key sector – be it jobs, technology, agriculture, education or others – this government has harnessed the expertise and sought the partnership of the private sector.

I have spent most of my career trying to build that synergy between big business, government, and the small entrepreneur. It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey, and one that has brought me into contact with a diverse array of stakeholders. I’ve worked alongside other CEOs of the country’s largest corporations, engaged with academics and think tanks, collaborated with local government leaders, coordinated with various business groups, and most frequently, interacted with the heads of the various government agencies that we work closely with. Among these government agencies, Go Negosyo works most closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

I mention this in the context of the recent meetings at the ABIS in Laos because it puts into perspective just how crucial the next few years are going to be. The President has laid out big plans for the Philippines, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will play a pivotal part in realizing these ambitions. The DTI is the lifeline that connects these MSMEs to policies that allow them to thrive.

The success we’ve had in putting together programs like the Kapatid Mentor ME – also called the MBA for MSMEs – owes a great deal to how well we work with the DTI. This program, which aims to provide small business owners with the knowledge and skills they need to scale up their operations, is a prime example of what can be achieved when government and the private sector work hand in hand. Similarly, our free public mentoring sessions across the country succeed because of the cooperation of local governments and business groups. The DTI plays a crucial role in informing our programs and connecting us with MSMEs across the country, ensuring that our efforts reach those who need them most.

With the ASEAN chairmanship coming to the Philippines in 2026, there will be so many moving parts involved, so many organizations working together in sync and towards common objectives. This is not just an honor; it’s an opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its progress and potential on the regional stage. It’s a chance to demonstrate how far we’ve come in fostering an environment where businesses, big and small, can flourish.

Adding to the excitement is the fact that we are making significant headway in forging partnerships among Philippine agriculture companies and their counterparts in the region. Our recent trips to Laos and before that, to Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, have yielded numerous fruitful ventures. We are looking to ride this rising wave of cooperation among the private sectors in ASEAN, recognizing that regional integration and collaboration are key to unlocking the full potential of our economies.

At this critical point, we need a steady hand alongside the President, one who understands and will carry out his vision, especially when it comes to empowering MSMEs to help them become the powerhouse that will propel our economy forward. We need leadership at the DTI that is not swayed by the changing winds of politics but is instead laser-focused on making meaningful changes in MSME development.

I believe Cris Roque embodies all these qualities. Her journey from being a small entrepreneur to leading the DTI is not just inspiring; it’s emblematic of the transformative power of supportive policies and programs for MSMEs. We owe it to our hardworking small entrepreneurs to put someone at the helm of the DTI who knows what it’s like to walk in their shoes, someone who understands their challenges, aspirations, and potential.

While we work toward improving the conditions for our MSMEs to thrive, it is worth rejoicing in how far we have come. Cris Roque’s journey is itself solid proof that, yes, the MSME can. It can not only grow but also become an influential player, a master of its own fate. Her potential appointment would send a powerful message to every small business owner in the country: your dreams are valid, your potential is recognized, and your government believes in you.

As we look to the future, I envision an economy so dynamic that we see a continuous stream of small businesses becoming medium enterprises, then growing into large corporations. This is an achievable goal if we continue to foster an environment that nurtures entrepreneurship, provides access to capital and markets, and offers the guidance and support that MSMEs need to scale up.

The road ahead is not without its challenges. However, with the right leadership at the DTI, a supportive government policy framework, and the continued collaboration between the public and private sectors, I am confident that our MSMEs are well-positioned to not just weather these challenges but to thrive in the face of them.