Advocacy Campaign
Gikan sa Barter nin Banwaan: Spotlighting Stories & Creations of Bicol’s Entrepreneurs
"In the modern Philippine economic landscape, self-employment and small-scale entrepreneurship are the primary engines of national stability. As of late 2024 and early 2025, self-employed individuals and non-wage workers (including unpaid family workers and small-scale employers) continue to represent a significant pillar of the labor market, accounting for approximately 38% of the national workforce (Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA], 2024; 2025). This demographic is the lifeblood of local communities, embodying a spirit of resilience and autonomy. Furthermore, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) constitute a staggering 99.6% of all registered business establishments in the country (Department of Trade and Industry [DTI], 2024). This sector’s importance is so profound that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., during the 2025 Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs, reaffirmed that these enterprises are the "backbone of our economy" and the "beating heart of our barangays" (Office of the President, 2025).
However, a significant disconnect remains between the high-level policy and the lived reality of many grassroots entrepreneurs. While agencies such as the Department of Trade and industry (DTI), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have initiated various programs to bolster small business owners, a substantial number of entrepreneurs remain on the periphery. Many lack the necessary digital infrastructure or financial cushion to weather market fluctuations, often leading to restricted market reach and stagnant profits. This struggle was further intensified by the dominance of larger corporations. These industry giants and known brands equipped with high investment capabilities and established competitive advantages, often create insurmountable barriers for small-scale Bicolano artisans, leaving them vulnerable to financial loss—or what is locally termed as being “pagkalugi.”
In direct with these challenges, and aligned with a firm commitment to education and social enterprise advocacy, the Bicol University - Movement for the Advancement of Youth-led Advocacy will step forward to champion the local entrepreneurs. The organization will spearhead an online event called “Gikan sa Barter nin Banwaan: Spotlighting Stories & Creations of Bicol’s Entrepreneurs.” Scheduled from April 13-17, 2026, on the BU MADY Facebook Page, this five-day digital showcase is designed to go beyond mere advertising. It is a strategizing effort to put the spotlight on the human narrative behind the products. By humanizing the commercial process through promotion and storytelling featuring unique stories and meticulous crafts of Bicolano entrepreneurs, the organization will provide a much-needed bridge between the local and traditional entrepreneurs and contemporary markets and the the project seeks to foster a deeper connection with the community, amplify their market presence and ensure that our local “backbone” remains strong, supported, and celebrated in an increasingly competitive world.
"
