SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique held a talk show with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), July 14, at ANSTEC Building, here.
DTI Antique invited three entrepreneurs to share their business stories, struggles during the pandemic, means of coping with difficulties, future plans, and the role that DTI plays in the survival of MSMEs in the market.
The guests include Jonelyn Medilo of Two M’s Malunggay Products, Melvin Piano of Fast Way Welding Shop, and Francia Tongol of Francia Handicrafts Manufacturing, who talked about their individual experiences as business operators.
Single parent Medilo experienced multiple ups and downs as an entrepreneur but pointed out that hard work, persistence, and faith are the key to the survival of her business, especially when COVID-19 hit and sales plummeted.
Despite her own struggles at that time,
she said that giving up was never an option as she is supporting her family and has partnerships with other MSMEs that could lose their source of living as well when she closes down.
Medilo cited digital innovations in marketing and payment options as means to adapt to the new normal and noted that she strives to help other struggling MSMEs, saying that as she rises, others must too.
Meanwhile, metal fabricator Piano highlighted the need to work hard and be disciplined in the present to enjoy the perks of the future.
For her part, former overseas Filipino worker Tongol said that the series of seminars and training conducted by DTI Antique was a factor that inspired her to put up her own business in handicrafts, garments, and apparel and underscored the importance of sustainability and continuity in upskilling MSMEs if they were to stay competitive.
Medilo, Piano, and Tongol are all graduates of the "Kapatid Mentor Me" program of the DTI.
The talk show with MSMEs is part of the weeklong celebration of the National
MSME Week 2022 from July 11-15 with the theme "RISE MSMEs in the Digital Economy: Resilient, Innovative, Sustainable, and Empowered."
Philippine News Agency-Antique Bureau Chief Annabel Petinglay, together with DTI Antique Trade and Industry Development Specialist Wilson Alian, hosted the event that was aired via Zoom. (AAL/BPS/PIA Antique)
