6M people land jobs in SME lending programs -- PGMA

MANILA, March 9 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said yesterday that her administration has loaned out some P340 billion through various lending schemes to micro, small, medium entrepreneurs and these helped generate some six million jobs.

In her message during the 2nd Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit held today at the World Trade Center, the President said that of the total loans granted, 90 per cent were availed by women.

“Women, indeed, are successful entrepreneurs,” she said.

“In 2004, I said I will create three million enterprises during my administration but with Secretary Favila’s report, we have doubled our target,” the President said.

The President said that the Arroyo administration is very supportive of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through loans given by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) giving guidance to make beneficiaries good managers.

This, she said, she is doing because “we want to create a stronger middle class.”

To ensure the continued support of the SMEs, the President announced that Favila will move to the Monetary Board from the Trade Department. Education Secretary Jesli Lapus will take over Favila’s present post.

Recognizing the Summit as part of the celebration of the “International Women’s Day,” the President stressed that the Arroyo administration has always been guided by the principle that empowering women will pave the way to building a stronger nation.

The President said the Arroyo administration has identified three core concerns for development: human rights, economic empowerment, and gender responsive governance.

“Our achievement in gender imbalance is truly remarkable,” the President said, adding that for three years now, the Philippines remains the leading Asian country in the top rankings of the Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum.

The President also led the launching of the fifth book of Go Negosyo—“Tagumpay,” a compilation of success stories of 100 entrepreneurs.

The President also led the awarding of nine women who serve as inspiration to Filipinos. They are Leonarda Camacho of the Metro Manila Linis Ganda; Singer/ Entrepreneur Pilita Corrales; Linda Legaspi of Marylindbert International; Regina Paz Lopez of ABS-CBN; Lecturer Solita Monsod of the UP School of Economics; Marixi Prieto of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Esther Vibal of Vibal Publishing House, and Rosalinda Wee of the Philippine Federation of Local Councils of Women. (PNA)
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