Around 500 women in Pasig participated in the "Negosyo Pasigueña" women's forum on business and entrepreneurship held at the Tanghalang Pasigueño on Tuesday, March 14. The program sought to empower women to aid their economic development by equipping them with knowledge on the proper policies and guidelines of business processes in the city. The event was organized by the Pasig City Gender and Development (GAD) Office led by Rey Espina, in partnership with the Office of City Councilor Corazon Raymundo and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). Raymundo, who is also the chairperson of the Committee on Women in the 11th City Council, welcomed the participants and commended them for their eagerness to join the forum. She emphasized the importance of citywide seminars and workshops to help widen the reach of opportunities for women in terms of honing their skills, increasing their learning, and developing their financial, spiritual, and psychosocial wellbeing. "Dito sa Pasig, bukas na bukas ang mga oportunidad upang makamit natin ang iba't ibang uri ng kaalaman na makakadagdag sa ating pag-asa sa buhay (Here in Pasig, opportunities are open for all to learn different kinds of knowledge and skills that will benefit us and give us hope)," Raymundo said. (Konsehal Corie Raymundo FB Page / MANILA BULLETIN)
The guest speakers of the event were Carmen Roceli Lopez, an independent gender consultant; Atty. Diego Santiago, the officer-in-charge of the Pasig City Local Economic Development and Investment Office (LEDIO); and M.K. Bertulfo, the founder, trainer, and speaker for Filipino Homebased Moms. Atty. Santiago noted how the local government's gender-based programs have been very instrumental in giving opportunities to women. It is their job to inform and assist women, especially solo parents, on how they can develop their livelihoods and support their income, he added. Santiago gave a talk on the basics of doing business in Pasig, focusing on a range of topics such as the business name registration system, process for new business applications and business permits and licensing, and the benefits of the barangay microbusiness enterprise. He also discussed the Easy Pondong Pasigueño, a program wherein owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can apply for a loan of P50,000 up to P1,000,000 from the local government; and the Tulong at Pampuhunang Ayuda sa Taga-Pasig (TAPAT) loan program, which "gives access to finance through loan assistance, access to to market (trade fairs, bazaars), and access to development opportunities." The TAPAT loan program has 12,912 members as of March 2023. The new ordinance that grants tax-free special permits to sari-sari store owners was also mentioned. Lopez and Bertulfo also shared their insights and experiences and also gave tips on how to start their businesses and uplift their entrepreneurial spirits. The women's forum was conducted as part of the local government's activities for women during National Women's Month.