Duterte’s business adviser offers service to new admin

President Rodrigo Duterte’s business adviser expressed willingness to work with the next administration under Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., pledging to continue the initiatives in providing opportunities for small entrepreneurs badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an interview, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said if given a chance, he would work closely with Marcos Jr., just like what he has been doing for the past 16 years.

“I will accept if given the opportunity again. I started GoNegosyo when former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave me that opportunity that was 16 years ago. A lot has been done, but more has to be done. Our program focuses on mentorship, money, and market or the 3Ms,” he said,

Concepcion added that it would be easy for him to work with Marcos Jr., as the presumptive president understands that the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), comprise 99 percent of the entire business community.

“These MSMEs of various industries indeed need help to scale up. Unity will bring greater prosperity for all, and this is what we need to do. BBM won this election because of the underprivileged trust that he would be able to deliver. Whatever we have been doing and can do more, we will continue to help this administration succeed as the future of our MSME is at stake,” Concepcion stated.

He maintained, “In helping MSME, we do it by providing mentors. We now have 700 plus mentors, we help them get access to financing, which is money, and we need to help more in this area access to financing. Regarding the market, the most important is how they can sell their products using digital platforms that primarily helps them in gaining revenue.”

Concepcion’s offer came days after two of the country’s most prominent business groups offered their support to the incoming administration.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Joint Foreign Chambers issued separate statements expressing their commitment “to continue to work closely with government officials at all levels” for the quick recovery from the pandemic. The groups said a government and private sector collaboration would provide a seamless synergy to attain high GDP growth, infrastructure development, job creation and FDI inflows.