Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian is seeking congressional declaration of a “National Micro, Small, and Medium-Enterprise (MSME) Week” from June 27 to July 2 every year in a bid to generate much-needed support for small business owners. Gatchalian filed Senate Bill (SB) No.949, which aims to recognize the indispensable role of MSMEs in nation-building, encouraging private enterprise, and promoting entrepreneurial spirit. “MSMEs play an important role in advancing sustainable development goals, achieving inclusive growth, encouraging innovation, as well as in providing livelihood to local communities, and thus, we need to recognize their contributions in the growth of the national economy,” he said. Gatchalian emphasized that the observation of the proposed MSME Week is also in line with a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2017, recognizing June 27 as World MSME Day. The resolution serves as a reminder to governments worldwide to foster a business climate in which small companies may thrive. MSMEs account for about 90 percent of businesses, 60 percent to 70 percent of employment, and 50 percent of gross domestic product worldwide. In the Philippines, around 1.076 million or 99.9 percent of establishments are considered MSMEs based on 2021 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Under the proposed legislation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in consultation and partnership with other government agencies and industry associations and organizations, will be responsible for mounting activities relating to MSMEs Week.