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During the 2024 Philippine Social Enterprise Roadmap Conference, we spotlighted the crucial role of government in empowering both the citizenry and the institutions that pursue social enterprise (SE) and social and solidarity economy (SSE) initiatives towards inclusive, sustainable development. 

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Localizing the Philippine SE Roadmap

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Hobi Cortes, Executive Director of Bayan Innovation Group (BIG), opened up this dialogue by sharing how the Bayan Family of Foundations is institutionalizing the Philippine Social Enterprise (SE) Roadmap through its work with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Local Government of Quezon City, and the Municipality of Odiongan, Romblon.   

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As pilot social laboratories of the SE Roadmap, BARMM, Quezon City, and Odiongan are being established as replicable models embedding SE and SSE initiatives into their governance frameworks through localized strategies. 

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How we’re doing this. BIG, through the support of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), has begun program implementation of Tatak SE for BARMM Peace and Prosperity, Tatak SE Kabahagi Ka sa Quezon City, and Tatak SE Serbisyong May Puso sa Odiongan, which aim to develop a vibrant cooperative and social enterprise economy; generate inclusive livelihood and sustainable employment; and foster peace, prosperity and improved quality of life. 

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Starting with research and strategic planning, localized, needs-based interventions are being developed for these pilot areas so that programs are responsive to the unique context and challenges of each community. At the same time, SE and SSE initiatives are aligned with the SE Roadmap’s objectives and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

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Crafting Strategy for the SE Roadmap Pilot Laboratories: Presentation of Strategic Planning Initiatives for Quezon City, BARMM, and Odiongan

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• Quezon City: Presented by Prof. Mike De Jesus, Lead Consultant for the Quezon City Strategic Planning Initiatives, the Tatak SE: Kabahagi Ka sa QC initiative integrates SE strategies into the city’s development plans through the "5Ps Framework" (Pesos, People, Philosophies, Policies, and Processes). This approach aims to establish a robust SE ecosystem in the city for sustainable economic growth.
• BARMM: Rashid Bangcolongan, Lead Consultant for the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA)-BARMM, highlighted SE initiatives under Tatak SE for BARMM Peace and Prosperity to promote peace and economic recovery as a response to the region’s distinct socio-economic and political context. These include policy endorsements through executive orders, memoranda, and a planned BARMM Act to support SEs.
• Odiongan: Rodmark Barriga, Lead Consultant for Odiongan and President of the Society for the Advancement of Professional Social Entrepreneurship (SAPSE), showed how Tatak SE: Serbisyong May Puso sa Odiongan is leveraging grassroots empowerment and community-driven projects. Initiatives that foster collaboration and inclusive livelihood, as well as passing a municipal ordinance to formalize support for social enterprises, are key components of the municipality's strategic plan. 

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These LGU-driven initiatives show the adaptability of the SE Roadmap and what success in establishing these pilot areas means for scaling SE and SSE programs nationwide. 

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Government as Catalyst for SE and SSE Initiatives

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Following the presentation of strategic planning initiatives, Cortes moderated a panel discussion with  Hon. Trina Firmalo-Fabic (Mayor of Odiongan), Mona Celine Yap (Department Head, Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office), and Lininding Pangandaman (Chief, CSEA-BARMM Social Enterprise Division) to dive deeper into their experience, best practices, and realities on-the-ground. 

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Mayor Trina Firmalo-Fabic shared Odiongan’s efforts to institutionalize SE initiatives through municipal ordinances and the value of building strong partnerships with local communities. “Our goal is to create policies that are not just inclusive but transformative to ensure that our social enterprises have the support they need to thrive and benefit the community,” she shared. Mona Yap discussed Quezon City’s proactive approach in creating a social enterprise-friendly ecosystem through enabling policies, capacity-building programs, and public-private partnerships. Chief Lindy Pangandaman stressed the critical role of SEs in addressing social and economic issues, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as BARMM, and the much-needed support to nurture BARMM’s cooperative and SE economy. 

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The dialogue underscored the crucial role of an enabling government in driving real social impact. Indeed, the government must not only empower organizations that champion SE and SSE initiatives, but inspire and motivate its constituents towards shared aspirations because – as Prof. Mike De Jesus shared, “No plans can succeed without broad-based support.” Rallying behind initiatives that are strategic, fitting, and that have gained the community’s buy-in is essential to the success of these efforts. 

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Thank you to our partners at CSEA-BARMM, Quezon City, and the Municipality of Odiongan; to our panelists - Mayor Trina Firmalo-Fabic, Mona Celine Yap, Chief Lindy Pangandaman; to our Bayan Fellows, Rashid Bangcolongan, Prof. Mike de Jesus, and Rodmark Barriga, who helped us craft program design in the critical stages of strategic planning and development; Hobi Cortes, who is on top of program implementation; and to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, whose support has made this possible. 

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The 2024 Philippine SE Roadmap Conference was hosted by the Philippine SE Roadmap co-secretariat, Bayan Family of Foundations and the Society for the Advancement of Professional Social Entrepreneurship, through the support of its co-organizers: Tatak SE, the Quezon City Government, Ayala Corporation, All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia-SDG, the Asian Solidarity Economy Council, Asia Value Advisors Ltd.; and its sponsors: Alagang AyalaLand, BPI Foundation, and BPI Direct BanKo. 

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