Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a huge role in the stability and recovery of the economy. They are the drivers; the movers and shakers; and the lifeblood of many countries, particularly developing ones.
Here in the Philippines, MSMEs are considered the backbone of the economy. In 2018, they account for 99.5% of all enterprises and employed 63.2% of the labor force. MSMEs were also responsible for the 35.7% value-added growth to PH’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019.
However, around 10% of the MSMEs ceased operations as of June 2021 according to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) survey. And the recent imposition of tighter community quarantine measures in several areas will again take a toll on the MSMEs.
“Our MSMEs face tremendous challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic brought compounding struggles to even the most dedicated and passionate micropreneurs. But while many succumbed to these adversities, many were able to find a way to keep going through the help of the government and the private sector,” said Prudencio Garcia, president of Mekeni Food Corporation and the Vice President of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham).
The Garcia clan’s Pampanga-based food manufacturing company, Mekeni Food Corporation, is known as a staunch supporter of MSMEs. In the wake of the crisis, Mekeni immediately beefed up its MSME programs. They started with tapping external distributors to provide income for starting entrepreneurs through the company’s Mekeni Home2Home (H2H) Partners Program.
Launched in April 2020, the Mekeni H2H Program helped more Filipinos kickstart their small businesses with Mekeni products that they can sell at home and even online. The reseller’s program entails low investment costs and is customizable based on the micropreneur’s capital. For as low as P1,500 worth of products, many micropreneurs were allowed to get back on their feet and uplift the lives of their loved ones.