Presidential candidates told: Bare plans for micro-entrepreneurs

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc. (Or Ang Kasangga) today urged presidential candidates to lay down their concrete plans for the growth and development of micro-entrepreneurship which has become the backbone of the country’s economy.

Atty. Norman Tayag, secretary general of Ang Kasangga, sounded the call as he revealed that he has yet to hear from the present roster of presidential candidates from different parties about their plans for both formal and informal micro-entrepreneurs.

“Our hardworking and honest micro-entrepreneurs are the new heroes of our times.  The role they play is crucial in uplifting the country’s economy, and therefore, they deserve all our support,” he said at the regular news forum in Illustrado, Manila,

“The sector of micro-entrepreneurs absorbs unemployed members of our society, those unable to find jobs in the open market. They also provide input to the formal sector ranging from manufacturing parts and supplies, to labor for production,” he added.

In 2006, about 99.7% of all Philippine businesses were classified as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Of these, 92% fell under micro-enterprises generating a total of 1,667,823 jobs, or 33.5% of all jobs created by the MSME sector in 2006.

Tayag explained that micro-entrepreneurs need to be supported and protected by law because most of them, especially those in the informal sector, has no access to bank loans, no formal training in business management, and lack of social protection.

“We do hope that with the passage into law of the Magna Carta for MSMEs two years ago, our micro-entrepreneurs will be protected. Ang Kasangga which represents micro-entrepreneurs will work hard to ensure that it is properly implemented,” he said.

The Magna Carta for MSMEs, logged as Republic Act 9501, recognizes MSMEs’ potential for more employment generation and economic growth and therefore can help provide a self-sufficient industrial foundation for the country.

“With Ang Kasangga winning a congressional seat with your help, we can further promote, support and protect our honest and hardworking micro-entrepreneurs,” Tayag added.

Through the guidance and support of its chairman Mr. Teodorico Haresco Jr, Ang Kasangga has grown strong from 45,000 to 260,000 card-bearing members, most of whom are sari-sari stores and food stall owners, and market vendors, jeepney, tricycle and bus drivers and operators, and blind masseurs.

For the past years, Ang Kasangga has untiringly provided a micro-lending program for marginalized barangay-based micro-entrepreneurs, a scholarship program for 46 children of slain Filipino journalists, a human resource-building program, a livelihood and housing program, a fiscal program for savings, among others. (30)

Ang Kasangga Inks 4 Deals for Micro-Entrepreneurs

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran (or Ang Kasangga) has recently signed four agreements that would not only open doors but also create ladders of opportunities to improve the current social and economic conditions for all micro-entrepreneurs in the country.

Lawyer Norman Tayag, secretary general of Ang Kasangga, made the announcement as he witnessed the ceremonial signing of four Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) during Ang Kasangga’s National Assembly at Mandarin Hotel, Makati last March 8.

“These agreements will surely open up doors and even create ladders of opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs for they will provide a better economic atmosphere for them so that their businesses would be protected and, eventually, they could earn more,” he said.

The first MOA signed is a tripartite agreement on environmental protection and conservation projects in Albay Province with Albay Governor Joey S. Salceda and Eco-Coral Corporation president Dr. Patrick Alain Azanza.

The agreement seeks to establish research facilities and install equipment for reef remediation, rehabilitation and protection, mangrove enhancement, and fish production increase.

“We will create community-based volunteer groups who protect and apprehend persons using illegal fishing methods that damage the marine eco-systems within the project area. This program will show local folks the benefits of a rehabilitated eco-coral reef system in improving fish stocks and generation of livelihood.” Tayag said.

The second MOA Ang Kasangga signed with Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez aims to promote coral reef management and rehabilitation, this time, through the development of a Geo-Marine Aqua Park in Aklan.

The agreement would primarily provide incentives to existing industries, businesses and services, such as boatmen, equipment suppliers, and tour guides that contribute to geo-marine aqua park operation.

Tayag also announced the signing of an agreement establishing a salary loan program for all qualified Ang Kasangga members and employees.

This agreement was signed with Postal Bank of the Philippines vice president Leonard Cruz, Win Ace Holdings chief financial officer Stephen Ray Abo, and Raining Pesos Inc. president James Patrick Cassels Jr..

The last agreement signed for Ang Kasangga members, especially those with relatives and loved ones abroad, will have an opportunity to create additional source of living. It was signed with Dr. Azanza, president of Winsource Solutions, Inc. (WSI).

“The Pinoy Call project with Winsource will give our members an opportunity to create additional source of living by selling call cards that provide unlimited long distance calls. For every call card sold, WSI shall pay the referror a commission of US$ 5,” Tayag explained.

“We are thankful to all partners in the government and the business sector, who have signed these agreements with us. These efforts will surely help propagate, develop and promote micro-entrepreneurship as the backbone of our economy,” he added. All of the four agreements were made possible through the leadership of Ang Kasangga chairman, Teodorico Haresco Jr.(30)

Support Pours in for Ang Kasangga for 2010 polls

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc. (or Ang Kasangga) today received an outpouring of support from various organizations composed mostly of micro-entrepreneurs to its bid for sectoral representation in Congress in the coming May 10, 2010 elections.

Lito Trinidad, campaign manager of Ang Kasangga, made the disclosure after Visually Impaired Brotherhood for Excellent Services (VIBES) President Dante Tioson thanked Ang Kasangga for the support it has given to VIBES members and their dependents.

“Like our friends from VIBES, Filipino micro-entrepreneurs deserve not only our adulation and commendation but also our continued support to allow them to continue the role they play in enlivening the country’s commerce and industry. They are indeed the new heroes of our times,” he said.

VIBES which has more than 40 massage clinics nationwide where its more than 500 members and their dependents work has been a beneficiary of Ang Kasangga’s micro-lending program since 2006. Other organizations supporting Ang Kasangga are Murphy Public Vendors and Retailers Association Inc. and Novaliches Deparo Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association in Quezon City, Rizal Park Vendors Association,

Silang Transport Service and Development Cooperative, Silang Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Guimaras Food Services and Caterers Association, Gultley Women’s Association in La Trinidad, Benguet. Plaridel Federated SEA-K Association in Misamis Occidental, Cooperative for Senior Citizen Development Cooperative in Albay, and Pedicab for Cabusao Trisikad Business Association in Camarines Sur.

They are also set today to formally reiterate their support to Ang Kasangga’s bid for sectoral representation in Congress during the ceremonial signing of a “Manifesto of Unity, Commitment and Support” at 11 am, Best Western Astor Hotel, Makati City. “We believe that the cause and advocacy of Ang Kasangga will be better propagated and spread if the marginalized sector of micro-entrepreneurs it represents will be given a chance to participate through the party list system law,” Trinidad added.

Representatives Rahman Nava, Jeffrey Ferrer, Florencio Miraflores, and Marilou Arroyo will lead the list of personalities who will witness the ceremonial signing among the regional and district chapters where Ang Kasangga’s presence remains strong. Also expected to attend are Gov. Joey Salceda, Gov. Rodolfo Antonino, Gov. Aurelio Umali and Gov. Felipe Nava, along with several municipal leaders and coordinators and youth sector representatives.

Through the leadership of its chairman Teodorico Haresco Jr.,Ang Kasangga has grown strong from 45,000 to 260,000 card-bearing members, most of whom are sari-sari stores and food stall owners, and market vendors, jeepney, tricycle and bus drivers and operators, and blind masseurs. For the past years, Ang Kasangga has untiringly provided a micro-lending program for marginalized barangay-based micro-entrepreneurs, a scholarship program for 46 children of slain Filipino journalists, a human resource-building program, a livelihood and housing program, a fiscal program for savings, among others.

Ang Kasangga Holds 2-day National Assembly

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran (Ang Kasangga) holds today (March 7) a two-day national assembly and launching to be attended by more than 200 delegates coming from all over the country to map out their plans for the coming May 10 elections.

Lito Trinidad, campaign manager of Ang Kasangga, said the national assembly will bring together formal and informal micro-entrepreneurs who deserve due recognition for their invaluable contribution and role in enlivening the country’s economy. “Filipino micro-entrepreneurs are the new heroes of our times. They deserve not only our adulation and commendation but also our continued support to allow them to continue the role they play in enlivening the country’s commerce and industry,” he said.

On the first day of the national assembly to be held at Best Western Astor Hotel, in Makati City, former Commission on Elections Commissioner Mahol Sadain will speak about the prospects of the partylist groups in the coming May 10 elections. The seminar workshop will be capped by the ceremonial signing of a “Manifesto of Unity, Commitment and Support” to Ang Kasangga among the regional, district and municipal leaders and coordinators at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City.

Ang Kasangga members are likewise expected to rally behind the group’s bid for sectoral representation in Congress in the May 10 elections to allow it to continually provide formal and informal micro-entrepreneurs access not only to employment but also a business enterprise that would improve their social and economic status in life.

“We believe that the cause and advocacy of Ang Kasangga will be better propagated and spread if the marginalized sector of micro-entrepreneurs it represents will be given a chance to participate through the partylist system law,” Trinidad added. Ang Kasangga, one of the country’s major partylist groups today, is composed of groups composed of micro-entrepreneurs, business executives and professionals who believe that micro-entrepreneurship is the backbone of the country’s commerce and industry.

Through the leadership of Ang Kasangga chairman Teodorico Haresco Jr, it now boasts of 260,000 members from various sectors, most of whom are sari-sari store and market vendors, jeepney, bus, and tricycle drivers and operators, and small producers of leather, furniture, and candies, among others. Representatives Rahman Nava, Jeffrey Ferrer, Florencio Miraflores, and Marilou Arroyo will lead the list of personalities who will attend the assembly cum launching for the regional and district chapters where Ang Kasangga’s presence remains strong.

Among those who also confirmed their attendance include Gov. Joey Salceda, Gov. Rodolfo Antonino, Gov. Aurelio Umali and Gov. Felipe Nava, along with several municipal leaders and coordinators and youth sector representatives. The assembly and launching will also highlight the accomplishments of Ang Kasangga in propagating, developing, and promoting micro-entrepreneurship in order to improve the productivity, income, quality of employment and social life of its members.

For the past years, Ang Kasangga has untiringly provided a micro-lending program for marginalized barangay-based micro-entrepreneurs, a scholarship program for 46 children of slain Filipino journalists, a human resource-building program, a livelihood and housing program, a fiscal program for savings, among others.