FROM left: Small Business Corporation president Robert Bastillo; Pablo ‘Paby’ Garcia of the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative; Ann David, Globe Business senior director, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office head of Corporate Planning Department Frederick Imson, and UnionDigital Bank CEO Henry Aguda provided a wealth information to participants of the DAILY TRIBUNE’s 2nd Asian Innovation Forum on 29 August at The Bellevue Hotel in Muntinlupa City.
Dinah Ventura, the managing editor of the DAILY TRIBUNE, enlightens the audience on the benefits of attending the AIF.
AIF hosts Kim Sancha and Chingkee Mangcucang.
FROM left: DAILY TRIBUNE business reporters Kathryn Jose and Raffy Ayeng; Pablo 'Paby' Garcia of the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative; Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office head of Corporate Planning Department Frederick Imson; Globe Business senior director Ann David, TRIBUNE's Komfie Manalo; SBCorp. president Robert Bastillo; TRIBUNE's managing editor Dinah Ventura; TRIBUNE's executive editor Chito Lozada; and AIF hosts Chingkee Mangcucang and Kim Sancha, give a thumbs-up for the success of the Second Series of DAILY TRIBUNE's Asian Innovation Forum last 29 August at The Bellevue Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
A leader of a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps association, representing the most impoverished families, expressed appreciation to the DAILY TRIBUNE for initiating the Asian Innovation Forum. This forum serves as a bridge between them and financial institutions that can offer the necessary funding to support their entrepreneurial endeavors, ultimately leading to their success.
"We thank the DAILY TRIBUNE for coming up with the AIF. This kind of program can help 4Ps members to get additional funding for our planned businesses," said Dana Pineda, president of Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang Pantawid-Muntinlupa Chapter with 3,000 members, during the question-and-answer segment of the 2nd AIF at the Bellevue Hotel in Alabang last 29 August.
Pineda signaled AIF facilitator Kim Sancha to ask Small Business Corporation's president and chief executive officer Robert Bastillo how their group can avail of funding from the Department of Trade Industry-attached agency on the establishment of a cooperative for 4Ps members.
"4Ps beneficiaries are not permanent and will eventually graduate from the program especially now that there is a delisting process. I don't know how to help my fellow 4Ps which is why I am so thankful that the DAILY TRIBUNE has this program for giving us a chance to talk to the right people. This is a big help for us," Pineda said.
With her noble intentions to uplift the lives of her members, Bastillo extolled Pineda and advised her to coordinate with the Cooperative Development Authority, an attached agency of the DTI.
Taking off from the success of the first AIF in May 2023, last week's second series gained encouraging momentum as the ballroom of The Bellevue Manila in Alabang, Muntinlupa City was filled with over 300 aspiring micro, small, and medium enterprises seeking valuable insights and guidance from experts.
The AIF is committed to its purpose of bringing together various stakeholders to enhance small businesses, introduce innovative concepts, facilitate discussions, and promote collaboration. Its goal is to increase access and inclusivity in the financial technology sector and provide Filipino entrepreneurs with opportunities to expand their presence in a broader market.
Joining Bastillio as speakers for the 2nd AIF, which focuses on the theme "Convergence of Fintech and E-Commerce: Ease in Credit, On Time Repayment" include Henry Aguda, chief executive officer of UnionBank and the convenor of UnionDigital and GoDigital Pilipinas; Pablo "Paby" Garcia of the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative; Ann David, senior director of Globe Business; and Frederick Imson, of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's Corporate Planning Department.
Pineda's inspiring words and those of many others further motivate us to persist in our efforts to connect aspiring entrepreneurs looking to pursue their passions and create innovative solutions.
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape and abundance of opportunities, the DAILY TRIBUNE will be a conduit for finding mentors, investors, collaborators, or customers, to build a strong network that is vital for long-term growth and sustainability.
