In an effort to help the country’s micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (mSME’s) gain access to funds that can help jumpstart or expand their businesses, National Economic Protectionism Association (NEPA) in partnership with the Center for National Budget (CNB) has launched the Pondo at Puhunan Para sa Pinoy (PPP)—an advocacy for the empowerment of the country’s mSME’s.
The MSMED Development Plan for 2011 – 2016 acknowledges four basic problems for the country’s mSMEs – access to market, human resource development, technological development, business environment and policy reforms and access to finance. Admittedly, there are several non-governmental groups, government institutions and agencies already engaged in assisting the country’s mSMEs, with various degrees of specialization. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other notable private organizations are leading the way in addressing issues in the technological development, human resource development and market development.
With the Pondo at Puhunan Para sa Pinoy (PPP), NEPA and CNB attempts to fill the gaping hole, the most pressing problem that consistently plagues mSME’s in the country today—that of access to finance.
The PPP is multi-faceted endeavor: a book project, an advocacy and educational program that aims to empower mSMEs, associations, cooperatives, non-government organizations and other worthy beneficiaries with the knowledge on locating and generating sufficient financing and capital, either through government funds or small grants from other funding agencies.
The PPP book is a comprehensive information menu of various financing facilities, particularly those provided by national government agencies, government financial institutions and government owned and controlled corporations—that can be accessed by individuals or groups for a community development project or to jumpstart a business.
