Underscoring the need for government to help small businesses, former senator Bam Aquino said on Saturday, March 15, that a tax relief must be given to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Independent senatorial candidate Bam Aquino speaks to some micro-entrepreneurs and workers during a community consultation in Quezon City on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo from Bam Aquino Media Bureau)
Aquino held a Livelihood Community Consultation with some micro-entrepreneurs and workers in Quezon City.
“Nais nating ipanukala ang pagbibigay ng tax relief sa maliliit na negosyo. Maliit na nga, bubuwisan mo pa, bagay na hindi dapat (We want to propose a tax relief program for small businesses. It’s not right to tax small businesses),” he said.
“Tulungan natin sila hanggang kaya na nilang tumayo sa sariling mga paa (Let us help them until they can stand on their own feet),” he added.
The former senator will also push for an expanded access to fair loan interests for small businesses and livelihood for others.
Stressing the role of the government in providing aid to small businesses, Aquino said these programs will help strengthen small enterprises and thus create employment opportunities for Filipinos.
“Kapag mas maganda ang tulong ng mga gobyerno at diretso sa maliliit na negosyo, marami ring magkakatrabaho (When the government truly helps businesses directly, a lot of Filipinos will also have jobs),” he said.
Aside from tax relief and fair interest loan programs, the former senator and youth leader is also pushing for more funding for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for it to be able to conduct skills training and livelihood program for Filipinos.
Equipping Filipinos with the proper skills will make them more attractive to employers.
Running on the platform of free college education and guaranteed employment, Aquino principally authored and sponsored the Go Negosyo Act during his first term in Senate.
The law aim to help Filipinos start their own businesses or expand existing enterprises.