Why MSMEs and microfinance matter

On Aug. 18, 2025, Malacañang reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the ongoing implementation of the MSME Development Plan 2023-2028. Speaking at the Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin conveyed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of creating a business climate that promotes innovation, expanded market access, and stronger competitiveness for MSMEs nationwide.

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This renewed push recognizes a critical reality: MSMEs make up 99 percent of all businesses in the Philippines and employ the majority of Filipino workers. Yet, many remain underfunded and vulnerable to shocks. For them, access to finance is not simply about capital — it is about survival, opportunity, and dignity. On the ground, microfinance has been the bridge that turns government policy into personal transformation.

Drying fish, building resilience

In Atimonan, Quezon, Alexander Amado’s days begin before sunrise. For more than 30 years, he has produced dried fish under the harsh sun. Though a B.S. Education graduate, he chose entrepreneurship over teaching, finding fulfillment in sustaining a business with his own hands.

On good days, he sells all 30 kilos he dries, with his products reaching as far as Manila. But storms and unpredictable weather often threaten his livelihood. When capital was tight in 2015, Alexander turned to a microfinance-oriented bank for support. Through the years, access to microfinance has helped stabilize his business operations.

“In this kind of business, aside from capital, it’s hard work and perseverance that truly matter,” he reflects. His story embodies the resilience of countless Filipino microentrepreneurs who persevere against uncertainty, sustained by both grit and financial access.

A Tausug mother’s dream