SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union  – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proudly completed its latest leg of the nationwide Roadshow on Capital Formation for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups at the La Union Convention Center on October 10, 2024. This initiative aims to introduce the capital market as an accessible funding source for business expansion. The event drew significant participation, with local business executives, government representatives, and entrepreneurs eager to learn about alternative financing options. Attendees explored various funding avenues, including crowdfunding, which has emerged as a vital resource for startups and MSMEs. SEC Commissioner Javey Paul Francisco emphasized the need to expand the financing instruments available to MSMEs, stating, “MSMEs are the backbone of a resilient national economy, as they drive domestic demand through job creation, innovation, and competition. MSMEs continue to experience credit constraints, tedious documentation, high interest rates, and mandatory collateral requirements.” The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and the Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP) also played pivotal roles in the event, highlighting the benefits of initial public offerings (IPOs) as a means for enterprises to raise capital and expand their operations. Representatives from both organizations provided insights on how MSMEs can navigate the IPO process, detailing the steps required to list on the PSE and the advantages of becoming a publicly traded company. Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega David expressed her gratitude for the SEC’s efforts to bring this initiative to La Union. She highlighted the significance of accessible funding options as businesses continue to expand and grow. The roadshow featured presentations from the Eastern Securities Development Corporation – Round One. Ms. Charmaine Co, Marketing Head, provided insights into the benefits of crowdfunding and shared success stories from businesses that have effectively utilized these platforms to secure capital. Participants also engaged in interactive breakout sessions, where they had the opportunity to consult with SEC, Round One, PSE, and ICCP about tailored financing solutions for their ventures. The SEC has witnessed a surge in the number of businesses leveraging crowdfunding and IPOs as means to secure funding, with 744 companies successfully tapping the capital market since the first crowdfunding license was approved by the SEC in December 2020. This growing trend underscores the potential of the capital market to support the development of MSMEs and startups across the Philippines. This roadshow in La Union is part of the SEC’s ongoing commitment to encouraging small enterprises to explore the capital market as a viable financing option through its Office for the Advancement of Strategic Investments in SMEs (OASIS).      

URDANETA CITY — Pinangunahan ni First lady Maan Guico ang pamamahagi ng mga artwork sa Urdaneta 1 Central School, na labis ikinasaya ng mga tsikiting at mga magulang. Kasama si BM Chinky Tababa, nagsagawa sila ng storytelling kaugnay sa pagmamahal at malasakit ng isang kaibigan. Bukod sa storytelling at pamimigay ng mga artwork, ang provincial social welfare and development office ay nagsagawa ng feeding program. Namahagi rin sila ng mga artbook, at manipulative toys sa lima pang Center for Child development o’ CCD ng Urdaneta. Bukod sa mga magulang at mga mag-aaral, labis din ang pasasalamat ng mga guro. Umabot sa 328 na mga mag-aaral ng CCD Poblacion Urdaneta ang nabiyayaan ng mga learning tools. Nakibahagi rin sa programa sina BM Jan Louie Sison, 5th District Consultant Isong Basco, Pangasinan Provincial Library staff at mga barangay official.

Lingayen, Pangasinan—Nakamit ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan, sa pangunguna ni Gobernador Ramon V. Guico III, ang tatlong malalaking parangal para sa mga serbisyo at kahusayan nito sa turismo at pagsulong ng pamana sa ginanap na 25th ATOP National Convention and Pearl Awards sa Koronadal City, South Cotabato, noong Oktubre 10. Ginawaran ang lalawigan ng 1st runner-up para sa Best Tourism Souvenirs (Banaan Museum Souvenirs); 2nd runner-up para sa Best Sports Tourism Event (Philippine Beach Games of Pista’y Dayat); at 2nd runner-up para sa Best International Event Hosting (2nd International Conference on Pangasinan and Bulosan Studies). Ipinahayag ni Pangasinan Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) Chief Maria Luisa A. Elduayan ang pagmamalaki at kagalakan sa mga makabuluhang parangal na natanggap ng lalawigan na nagsilbing show window ng patuloy na pagsisikap at suporta ng gobernador para sa lokal na turismo. “Ang lahat ng ito ay mga pagpapakita ng hirap at hilig ng Pangasinan tourism team ng PTCAO, ang pagtutulungan at pagtutulungan ng ating MSMEs, LGUs, partner organizations, pribadong sektor, at ang buong suporta ng administrasyon ni Governor Ramon Mon-Mon Guico III, ” sabi ng PTCAO sa post nito sa social media. Matatandaang ginawaran din ang lalawigan bilang Region 1’s Best Province in Local Tourism Planning noong Setyembre 20 sa Region 1 Tourism Summit 2024 sa San Fernando City, La Union.

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), turned over Php5 million ($89,500) in aquaculture equipment to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte to support fisherfolk in sustainably farming tilapia. USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks handed over the donation to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc at the government-owned Pasuquin Fish Farm on October 10. “The United States is proud to support fishers in Ilocos Norte with tools that can increase their income and create resilient communities,” Deputy Mission Director Eubanks said.  “These supplies will help fishers, especially those impacted by the recent Super Typhoon Julian, restore their livelihood and contribute to long-term food security by increasing affordable sources of protein for local communities.” “I’d like to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to USAID on behalf of our fisherfolk and on behalf of over 610,000 Ilocanos.  We really look forward to working closer with USAID for the benefit of our Ilocanos,” Governor Manotoc said. The donation includes a generator, a 1,000-watt solar-powered outdoor light, a ring blower, an oxygen tank, a submersible pump, an aerator for a paddle wheel, a sewing machine for net production and repair, fish fingerlings, fish breeders, and feed.  The equipment and supplies are expected to boost the farm’s current tilapia production by 20 percent by ensuring a stable supply of electricity, increasing the stock of fingerlings and breeders, and maximizing the facility’s overall efficiency. USAID also donated fish cages to 70 fishers representing fisherfolk associations from the municipalities of Pasuquin, Bangui, and Pagudpud, and whose fishing equipment were damaged by Super Typhoon Julian. This assistance is part of USAID’s Php41-million grant to Impl. Project Philippines to create conservation-based livelihood projects, help manage marine protected areas, and conduct research and development into seaweed and aquaculture farming in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and Palawan. While in Ilocos Norte, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to boosting innovation, education, and economic development in the region. On October 9, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks visited the Batac Campus of Mariano Marcos State University to mark its inclusion in a network of 22 universities under USAID’s Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) project. Through this program, USAID provides career mentoring to help students embark on successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  She also launched USAID’s WISER app, an interactive platform that educates the public about renewable energy. She also delivered remarks at the graduation ceremony of 91 young Ilocanos who completed a 15-day course in construction as part of USAID’s YouthWorks PH project.  This course helped the graduates obtain jobs at construction firms such as AsiaPro, Worklife, and Datem. During her visit, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between USAID’s U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program and the Ilocos Norte Regional Development Council’s Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee. This new partnership will create new relationships and strengthen existing cooperation between the government, private sector, and the academia to align investments and foster innovation that will drive growth and development in the region.        

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN— Pinirmahan ni Gobernador Ramon V. Guico III ang isang Memorandum of Agreement sa Department of Health—Ilocos Center for Health Development para sa pagpapatupad ng Medical Assistance for the Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program sa 14 mga ospital na pinamamahalaan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan. Mula sa pondo nina House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Juan Edgardo Angara, at Grace Poe, umabot sa mahigit P83 milyon ang kabuuang halaga. Si Romualdez ay nagbigay ng malaking halaga na P70 milyon, habang si Go ay naglaan ng P14 milyon, samantalang nagbigay din si Angara ng P2 milyon at P1 milyon kay Senator Poe. “Ang Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program ay isang programa ng Department of Health na naglalayong magbigay ng suportang pinansyal sa mga mahihirap at mahihirap na pasyente na naghahanap ng medikal na pagsusuri, konsultasyon, paggamot, at rehabilitasyon at ang mga nakakulong sa mga ospital ng gobyerno,” ayon sa resolusyong akda ni Board Member Shiela Marie F. Baniqued at inaprubahan noong Oktubre 7. Ang pondo ay ida-download sa sumusunod na 14 na ospital ng gobyerno para sa layunin nito: 1. Asingan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 2. Bayambang District Hospital, P5,107,234.00; 3. Bolinao Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 4. Dasol Community Hospital, P5,185,874.00; 5) Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital, P5,198,323.00; 6. Lingayen District Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 7. Manaoag Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 8. Mangatarem District Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 9. Mapandan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 10. Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (San Carlos City), P6,930,000.00; 11. Pozorrubio Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 12. Umingan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 13. Urdaneta District Hospital, P7,920,000.00; 14. Western Pangasinan District Hospital, P5,940,000.00. Matatandaang noong unang quarter ng 2024, nagbigay si Sen. Go ng kabuuang P55.4 milyong MAIFIP Program Fund, na ginamit ng 14 na ospital. Ang isang pasyente na hindi nauuri bilang indigent ngunit nagpapakita ng kawalan ng kakayahan na magbayad o gumastos ng mga kinakailangang gastusin para sa pagpapagamot ng isang tao ay maaari ding mag-aplay para sa tulong pinansyal sa ilalim ng Administrative Order No. 2020-0060 ng DOH. (By Zaldy Comanda)