Kaunlad Pinoy: Jobs not doles

Kaunlad Pinoy is more than an organization; it is a movement dedicated to reshaping the economic future of the Philippines by empowering every Filipino household with the tools to succeed in business.

In interviews on Lead na Tama and Spotlight by DAILY TRIBUNE, Kaunlad Pinoy’s first nominee, James “Kuya Choi” Napoles, shared the remarkable journey of this grassroots movement, which started as a response to the pandemic and has now expanded across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

When the world came to a standstill during the Covid-19 pandemic, Napoles saw an opportunity in adversity.

“It all started during the pandemic. Businesses were shut down, and everyone was inside their homes,” he recalled. “There were no engineers, no architects, no basketball players — just people trying to survive.”

With traditional jobs disappearing overnight, Filipinos turned to entrepreneurship out of necessity.

Whether it was home baking, online selling, or delivery services, people found ways to earn a living.

Kaunlad Pinoy #133 in the ballot, was born from this realization: that every Filipino, whether by choice or circumstance, has the potential to be an entrepreneur.

“That’s when we saw it. Even those who weren’t businessmen were suddenly engaged in business. This was the perfect time to support them,” Napoles said.

At the core of Kaunlad Pinoy’s mission is a simple but powerful belief: every Filipino family should have at least one entrepreneur.

Napoles explained that while professional careers provide security, businesses offer limitless potential.

A sari-sari store, a small food stall, or an online shop may start small, but they can grow, sustain a family, and be passed down for generations.

“Retail is a ‘poor man’s business.’ It doesn’t require much capital, but it has infinite potential. If you don’t have money, look around — opportunities are everywhere.”

Kaunlad Pinoy isn’t just about teaching people how to do business; it provides a full support system, including financial literacy training, networking opportunities, and logistics solutions to connect entrepreneurs across provinces.

Instead of simply offering guidance, Napoles believes in equipping people with real tools to succeed.

“You know the saying, ‘Teach a man to fish’? In Kaunlad Pinoy, we don’t just teach them how to fish, we give them a boat.”

By linking local producers with buyers, creating sustainable trading systems, and ensuring business viability, Kaunlad Pinoy empowers Filipinos to thrive beyond their comfort zones.

Reluctant

Kaunlad Pinoy has never seen itself as a political entity.

“We are a non-profit organization. We never planned on joining politics,” Napoles admitted.

However, as demand for their initiatives grew and local government units began reaching out to collaborate, Kaunlad Pinoy saw the potential of institutionalizing their advocacy through the partylist system.

They realized that no existing partylist group focused solely on MSMEs and livelihood programs. Rather than rely on government aid, Kaunlad Pinoy seeks to push legislation that supports sustainable business opportunities for Filipinos.

“Doling out money is a noble intention, but we need more than that. Are we just training people to be employees, or are we helping them build their own future?” he asked.

Kaunlad Pinoy’s long-term goal is clear: by 2035, every Filipino household should have a business, and every family should have an entrepreneur.

Unlike traditional organizations that bring celebrities to provinces, Kaunlad Pinoy brings CEOs and business owners to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.