Concepcion vouches DTI’s Pascual competence

Go Negosyo chairperson and the head of the Jobs Group of the Private Sector Advisory Council, Joey Concepcion, has vouched for the competence of Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual. He said the cabinet secretary had shown his proficiency in backing the micro, small and medium enterprises, promoting public-private sector partnerships, and the influx of investments that promise to create more jobs for the country.

Concepcion said the Trade secretary had the confidence of industry groups and conglomerates during the multiple consultations held as part of his role as the leader of the Jobs group of the Private Sector Advisory Council.

"The confidence is there that Secretary Pascual can lead the public-private partnership as we scale up our MSMEs, promote the country as open for business here and abroad, and address the need to upskill our workforce to create quality jobs," he said.

"MSMEs account for more than 62 percent of jobs in the country. Helping Filipino MSMEs is a task we can't do alone. We have always been strengthened by our solid partnership with the DTI and its leadership," Concepcion added, emphasizing Pascual's active support of entrepreneurship.

In the first council meeting of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Council, Concepcion said Pascual, as its chairman, was able to engage and encourage every member to participate better and be more effective in resolving the issues at hand.

"The DTI was key to our Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprises," he said. A program conducted by Go Negosyo alongside the DTI and its regional units has been responsible for scaling up through formal mentorship of over 12,000 small and medium entrepreneurs all over the country.

"I can't emphasize the importance of the mentors who give their time and expertise to the KMME and our mentoring roadshow, 3M on Wheels, and Secretary Fred Pascual has been part of these mentorings in various capacities over the years," said Concepcion. The 3M on Wheels has mentored almost 4,000 aspiring and active entrepreneurs this year through its free mentoring program. This adds to the thousands more entrepreneurs who received free mentoring online through Go Negosyo's Facebook Live show, Go Negoshow, during the pandemic lockdowns.

"It's a showcase of what public and private partnership can do, especially with a leader who is committed to helping build our MSMEs," he said.

British chamber agrees
As the Department of Trade and Industry plays a pivotal role in bringing investments into the country, British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines president Chris Nelson said he is supportive of his approval as Trade chief by the influential Commission on Appointments.

"I think what is important here is that we need to move forward. The secretary of the DTI post is essential, and we need that department to be as active as possible. I see it with Secretary Pascual, especially his push for the ratification of RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership). I think we are satisfied seeing his works and ideas for the country to move forward," Nelson said.

Pascual, among other cabinet secretaries, still needs to be safe from the scrutiny of the influential Commission on Appointments.

A DTI official said the secretary's appointment has been pending "due to lack of material time."

But major business organizations have already thrown their support for Pascual's confirmation, namely the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employees Confederation of the Philippines and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.