Solidifying their commitment to the National Social Enterprise Development, BPI (through its social arm BPI Foundation (BPIF)), Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), and BPI Direct BanKo, Inc. (BanKo), have executed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bayan Innovation Group (BIG) and the Society for the Advancement of Professional Social Entrepreneurship (SAPSE), amping up their support for the Social Enterprise (SE) Roadmap and the advancement of social entrepreneurship in the country.
As early as 2015, BPI (through its social arm BPIF) has been at the forefront of helping accelerate the growth of SEs through the BPI Sinag program. In 2021, BPIF took this further by commissioning the development of the National SE Development Roadmap. This roadmap crafted by BIG and SAPSE, is a five-year, nationwide strategic plan that aims to advance social enterprises in the country through a multi-sectoral approach.
In 2023, the National SE Governance Council (NGC) was formed to lead the implementation of the SE Roadmap. Through the NGC, each SE subsector is represented on a national and regional or area cluster level: MSMEs and associations; cooperatives; non-government organizations (NGOs); the academe; and corporations. The multi-sectoral approach aims to unite the entire SE sector in its efforts to grow social enterprises in scope, size and socio-environmental impact.
As the initial movers of the Corporations subsector, BPI, ALI and BanKo will lead corporate initiatives for the SE Roadmap and will be instrumental in aggregating support from the Ayala Group of Companies.
BPIF will lead in supporting the advancement of SEs through the BPI Sinag program, Sinag Sari-Sari Store and the Tatak SE™ nationwide campaign, which will be launched during the 4th quarter of 2023 to deepen appreciation and understanding of SEs among the public.
ALI has set up key integrations with the SE Roadmap through Alagang AyalaLand, which supports SEs by giving them rent-free space within Ayala Malls. The onboarding of Alagang AyalaLand’s SEs into the SE Roadmap opens up training and capacity-development opportunities for the SEs to become more sustainable in their enterprise management and operations.
BanKo, which provides self-employed micro-entrepreneurs (SEMEs) with access to affordable loan products, is set to extend its financial products and services to SEs under the SE Roadmap. NegosyoKo Loan, InstaCashKo Credit Line, and PondoKo Savings are just some of the offerings that will be made available to them. This opens up multiple avenues for SEs to increase their financial capacity and to grow their business operations.
Discussions are underway with other Ayala Group companies, including Globe, AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts, Ayala Malls and Alveo Land for potential collaboration and program integrations. With the SE Roadmap in full swing, BIG and SAPSE look forward to sealing more partnerships with SE movers, allies and advocates.
For news on SE Roadmap milestones and events, follow @bayaninnovationgroup on our socials or connect with us through collaborate@bayaninnovationgroup.org.