Celebrating inclusive growth

By Joey Concepcion (The Philippine Star), Dec. 19, 2016

In Go Negosyo, inclusive growth is our goal. Our advocacy is to bring prosperity to all.

In the past months, we have been collaborating with Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol to bring growth to the agricultural sector and the province of Sulu.

Sec. Piñol called me recently to ask how we can help the onion and garlic farmers of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. He shared their issues, which led me to ask help from the big-brother companies who are part of Go Negosyo’s Kapatid program.

In just a few hours, the “big brothers” composed of restaurants, supermarket chains, and other companies answered the call for support of the farmers by sourcing their onion and garlic requirements directly from them. Some of the big brothers who committed are SM Supermarkets, SaveMore, Shopwise, Rustan’s, NCCC Mall, Robinsons, Max’s Group, Century Pacific Group, CDO Foodsphere, Puregold, Metro Gaisano, Jollibee Foods Corporation, and many more.

Aside from that, we are also working on a project called: “Negosyo Para sa Kapayapaan sa Sulu.” This is an initiative to involve the private sector in supplementing government efforts to establish peace and development in the area. Just last week, our Go Negosyo Sulu project coordinator Ginggay Hontiveros visited the areas of Jolo, Maimbung, Indanan and Patikul in Sulu in order to assess the viable social services and economic activity programs that Go Negosyo Kapatid can implement through private sector-supported initiatives. Ginggay visited schools, hospitals, the airport, Gawad Kalinga villages and military headquarters in Sulu.

Today, we are holding a Christmas town hall with President Duterte to present all programs being done to bring forth inclusive growth. We are fortunate to have found “big brothers” who are willing to invest time, money and effort in this initiative. I am sure that the president will support all these endeavors to have peace and prosperity in the country.