As Go Negosyo conducted its 20th Negosem (Negosyo Seminar) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry last June 17, President and Congresswoman-elect Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also graced the seminar at the St. Augustine Parish Hall in Lubao, Pampanga.
In the last five months, Go Negosyo has been very active providing FREE negosyo seminars in all regions of the country. This was made possible, in partnership with key agencies at the forefront of assisting micro, small and medium enterprises, led by the DTI, National Livelihood and Development Corporation, Landbank and the Presidential Support Fund. Corporations such as BPI Family Savings Bank, PLDT SME Nation and Smart Communications have also joined to help. To date, over 12,300 Filipinos around the country have benefited and have been empowered with the fundamentals on how to start and grow their businesses.
Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Executive Director Ramon Lopez gives an overview about the Go Negosyo advocacy.
“The Negosems have the strong support of President Arroyo as she clearly sees the importance of a thriving entrepreneurial climate for the country. She understands that negosyo, and having an enterprising mindset is the solution to poverty. Our Negosems, and our other programs and events, are testaments that the government and the private sector can successfully work together in building a great future for this country. For us, the right entrepreneurship education given to small entrepreneurs and the marginalized groups is the great equalizer of all. Negosem goes beyond the basics of spotting opportunities, product development, marketing and financial literacy because it covers the importance of having the right positive mindset and core values that can help anyone be more successful in life and in their business,” shares Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion.
Go Negosyo therefore took the opportunity of presenting its guest of honor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a Special Recognition for being a Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Champion. The recognition is gesture of thanks from Go Negosyo, in appreciation of the President’s full support of the Go Negosyo advocacy, which demonstrates her belief that having a Go Negosyo attitude and know-how can help any Filipino move up in life, and essentially, mag tagumpay mula sa kahirapan.
Inspiring entrepreneurs joins Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founding Trustee, Joey Concepcion (5th from right), as the foundation recognizes President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Champion.
Conferring the award to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are the Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founding Trustee Joey Concepcion, Go Negosyo Executive Director Ramon Lopez, and panelists of the Negosem Forum: Ray Gapuz of R.A. Gapuze Review Center, Merle Alferez of MSA Academic Institute, Ronald Pineda of Folded & Hung, Dr. Vivian Sarabia of Sarabia Optical, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet blog, Louie Gutierrez of Silverworks, Prudencio Garcia of Mekeni Foods, and Angie Hizon of Pampanga’s Best.
Also part of the Pampanga Negosem was a Region III One Town One Product (OTOP) Showcase. Government agencies like Landbank, NLDC, SBCorp, etc. made their services available at the expo area. There were also DTI “Diskwento” booths that sold consumer products at heavily discounted prices. Some of the manufacturers that joined the “Diskwento” booths were RFM, Swift, Fiesta, Sunkist, Selecta, Mekeni, Minalin Poultry, National Bookstore, Kettle Korn, as well as local bag-makers and grocery stores.
Diskwento products, or heavily discounted consumer goods, were made available through the efforts of DTI Region 3.
Negosem lecturers are lead by seasoned entrepreneurship gurus and Go Negosyo mentors, who have the experience in running businesses and at the same time have the heart to educate and guide existing and budding entrepreneurs in their entrepreneurial journey.
“Fulfillment in life comes when you start thinking of and helping others. I guess that is why this advocacy has been gaining ground in the last four and half years. It allows anyone to be involved, to share his time, talent and treasures, so that others can find hope and reach their dreams. We are fortunate to have increasing number of Angelpreneurs in our Negosems,” shares Concepcion.
