There is a “golden opportunity” for successful economic reforms under a Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. leadership, according to Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria A. Concepcion.
The Go Negosyo founder, in a news statement issued on Thursday, said that “with such a strong, historic mandate, there is a golden opportunity for successful economic reform, now that both the public and Congress are united behind a single leadership.”
Concepcion specified that presidential frontrunner Marcos Jr.’s leadership is relevant to the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up 99.5 percent of enterprises in the country and employ almost 60 percent of Filipinos.
“Many of our countrymen continue to be underrepresented and unheard. Many of them see entrepreneurship as a way out of poverty. It is where industry, ingenuity, and grit can get you further than you would as an employee,” Concepcion said.
Concepcion noted that entrepreneurship gives people a fair chance at social economic mobility. He added that just like entrepreneurship, elections level the playing field of the people where a poor man’s vote counts as much as a rich man’s.
“Judging from how the country voted, it would be safe to say that many MSMEs believe Bongbong Marcos can help them,” he said.
Marcos Jr. was interviewed during Go Negosyo’s Kandidatalks series a few weeks prior to the elections.
The Presumptive President said MSMEs deliver the most impact on society, because any effort to help them will be felt immediately even by the big corporations. Marcos Jr. added that many Filipinos are willing to work and become entrepreneurs, but he pointed out that they will need assistance.
He also acknowledged how organizations like Go Negosyo can help mentor small entrepreneurs and how the government can allocate a portion of the International Revenue Allotment for MSMEs. Further, Marcos Jr. noted that taxes must be rationalized for the benefit of small entrepreneurs.
On agriculture, Marcos Jr. said that if the sector is supported in terms of loans, research and development (R&D) and infrastructure, the agriculture sector could succeed in its role as a foundation of the country’s industrialization.
Meanwhile, in relation to infrastructure, Marcos Jr. vowed to continue President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program and extend its scope to improve the country’s information and power infrastructure.
According to partial and unofficial count of the Commission on Elections transparency server, Marcos Jr. has already garnered 31 million votes.
Concepcion highlighted that Marcos Jr.’s majority vote represents the voice of the underprivileged and underrepresented.