MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday awarded micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), who produced outstanding business models and served as exemplary development partners.

The 2024 Presidential Awards for Outstanding Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners is a way for the government to honor business owners who exemplify “what an ideal local enterprise should look like — environmentally conscious, community-driven, and socially responsible,” the President said in a speech in Malacañang.

“It is important not only for us to show our appreciation to them but also to encourage other government and non-government entities, academic institutions, [and] entrepreneurs to follow their [examples],” he said.

“You can expect that this administration will continue to conduct activities like these to highlight the exemplars in this sector, with the hope of promoting their best practices throughout the country,” he said.

The Department of Trade and Industry is working to roll out the MSME Development Plan 2023-2028, Marcos Jr. said.

“This strategic roadmap is structured around further improving the business environment, enhancing the skills and innovation, and expanding market access,” the Chief Executive said.

“We will be institutionalizing this plan through an Executive Order that will set the specific roles and outline the procedures and activities for all involved agencies,” he said.

“Let us collaborate on this endeavor and remind us that the way forward for MSMEs lies in our ability to innovate, collaborate, and to persevere,” he added.

MSMEs make up 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines, employing some 5.6 million Filipinos, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.