00:00The 3rd Digital Financial Inclusion Awards recognize 16 Filipino micro-entrepreneurs
00:06for leveraging digital platforms to grow their businesses.
00:10Funded by Citi Foundation in partnership with the Microfinance Council of the Philippines
00:15and supported by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas or BSP,
00:19the awards aim to promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment
00:23as our Noel Talacay tells us more.
00:26For Laisel, an accomplished micro-entrepreneur,
00:32perseverance, being optimistic, and faith in God
00:35are her secrets to become a successful businesswoman
00:39despite the challenges of the digital platform.
00:43My only struggle in running an online business is
00:47in Bundok, Mandang.
00:49That's my only struggle.
00:53I'm really looking for a way to reach out to our customers.
00:57She's one of the 16 micro-entrepreneurs
01:01who came from different parts of the country
01:03to be recognized in the 3rd Digital Financial Inclusion Awards 2024
01:09which was conducted today.
01:11It is a recognition of the micro-entrepreneurs in the country
01:15who use the digital platform for their respective businesses
01:20which is funded by the Citi Foundation in partnership
01:23with the Microfinance Council of the Philippines
01:26and supported by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
01:30You've turned pocket-change businesses into your own gold mines.
01:36And while B2C gets most of the attention,
01:40some of you maximize technology to transact with your suppliers
01:46and for one of you, even your resellers.
01:49The 16 awardees received P100,000 each
01:53with laptops to help them grow and enhance their businesses.
01:57They came from different industries like food production,
02:00retail, and manufacturing.
02:03We also acknowledge the role of the ecosystem,
02:05the government, NGOs, tech companies, and financial institutions
02:10that have played a vital part in supporting these digital journeys.
02:15Together, we are creating an enabling environment
02:19that fosters sustainable growth and development.
02:22The Digital Financial Inclusion Award will continue to create awareness
02:27on the importance of the micro-entrepreneurship and micro-finance
02:31which supports financial inclusion and economic empowerment
02:35of Filipinos with low income.
02:37With this, BSP is looking forward to recognizing more individuals in 2025.
02:44According to the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas,
02:47the Digital Financial Inclusion Awards will inspire more micro-finances
02:52and micro-entrepreneurs to go on digital.
02:56It also says that digitalization is the country's driver
03:01for sustainable economic development.
03:04Noel Talapay from the National TV Network
03:07for New and Better Philippines.
