AKKK Partylist vows to make access to gov’t programs easier for MSMEs

AKKK Partylist 1st Nominee Mufaida Alonto-Macatoman in Sarangani Province. The AKKK Partylist is No. 107 on the ballot. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — New partylist Ang Kabuhayang Kayang Kaya (AKKK) has pledged to produce legislation that will help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the required processes, especially at this time of the pandemic.

Mufaida “Muffy” Alonto-Macatoman, AKKK Partylist’s first nominee, said that if they secure a seat in Congress they want to make it easy for the marginalized to access programs crafted for MSMEs.

“Marami naman pong mga programa ang gobyerno, ang problema po ay ang access to get to those programs,” she explained.

AKKK Partylist 1st Nominee Mufaida Alonto-Macatoman during the Grand Rally at the Municipality of Pagayawan. The AKKK Partylist is No. 107 on the ballot. Contributed photo

“Regarding requirements, a lot could not comply with the requirements. Especially when you talk about the marginalized. ‘Yung registration pa lang nahihirapan na sila. Ubos ang kapital sa pabalik-balik nilang pagre-register.”

Macatoman cited that MSMEs compose 99.6 percent of all registered businesses. This is why they are considered the backbone of the country’s economy.

AKKK Partylist 1st Nominee Mufaida Alonto-Macatoman in Dumaguete City. The AKKK Partylist is No. 107 on the ballot. Contributed photo

But MSMEs suffered serious losses during the pandemic, which forced the government to impose lockdowns.

Macatoman added that they also need to ease requirements, especially for those who are just starting up their businesses.

AKKK Partylist 1st Nominee Mufaida Alonto-Macatoman during a focus group discussion in Alamada, North Cotabato. The AKKK Partylist is No. 107 on the ballot. Contributed photo

“Maraming nag-apply for loans unfortunately, kailangan mo ng years of existence. So that becomes a problem when you are a new (entrepreneur). Bago ka pa lang inubos mo na ang puhunan, dumating ang pandemya, no have no access to capital, you have no requirement. So we have to look at the current programs na tutugma sa panahon ngayon,” she said.

“Kailangan po nating tignan ang mga prgorama at tignan ang pangangailanan ng maliliit na negosyo. Kaya tuloy ang tinatakbuhan nila ay 5-6. Lalo silang lumulubog sa utang at hindi na sila nagsu-survive.”

The AKKK Partylist is No. 107 on the ballot.

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