MSMEs in Manila benefit from the economic spur driven by charity walk

Caesar Vallejos
Eagle News Service

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are thriving from the boost in economic activities in the Manila area driven by the thousands of participants of the Worldwide Walk Fight for Poverty.

Joey Garcia, a mentor of Go Negosyo who now runs a chain of restaurants and a hotel. estimates that the entrepreneurs at the event will earn a combined gross income of 20 million using the carts and kiosks bu-

siness model.

According to Garcia, “given a platform for them to sell their goods, the micro entrepreneurs can have an ideal

marketplace.”

“It will prosper later on as they acquire skills in branding, marketing and operations,” Garcia said.

“From selling various items like corn, squid and and peanuts, the small players are not regulated yet but they know how to zone their activities.  This is proven by their strategy to sell complementing products in one area,” Garcia added.

As early as 1 pm, Roxas Boulevard has been teeming with sellers of food, water, fans, mattresses and other basic necessities, catering to thousands of families

converging in Roxas Boulevard and Quirino Grandstand.

Karen, 34, estimated that  200 vendors like her trooped to this worldwide walk venue.

“Pag event ng Iglesia talagang dinudumog naming manininda kasi madami kayong mga tao,” she said.

She said she invested P30,000 and expects to “triple or double” this.

“Marami ding kayo na natutulungan,” she said.

But according to Garcia, it is not only the vendors who benefit from the event.

He said that all the Manila hotels and motels are fully booked during this period.

In fact, he said he was one of those who was unable to get a reservation.

“That reveals an opportunity that hotels in this area may not still fully serve the needs of a huge event like this,” he said.

“As we fight against poverty, micro and small and medium enterprises must have access to 3 Ms,” Garcia said.  These are money (access to credit or financial resources) mentoring and market.  These three Ms are what the Iglesia Ni Cristo socio-economic programs are providing to its members.  The Church is providing everything that an entrepreneur needs to succeed which is mostly lacking in private and government sectors,” Garcia added.