President Rodrigo Duterte expressed concern about the country’s inadequate defense capabilities when he graced the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Summit in Clark, Pampanga.
He said the government was giving priority to financing the country’s defense program.
“I see dark clouds ahead, so I want matters that will make us strong,” Duterte said in his speech at the Asean Convention Center in Clark.
He did not elaborate on the country’s poor defense capability but said he would do everything to at least make it better.
He said the country was not yet done with its fight against terrorism despite its victory in the five-month war against the ISIS-inspired terrorists in Marawi City last year.
“Just be put on notice that we are not yet over the hump in our troubles with the law and order particularly in some parts of the Philippines. Mindanao is one area which you have to look with guarded eyes,” Duterte said.
“But maybe next year I will pour more to the SMEs to serve the poor.”
The Trade department said the National MSME Summit was aimed at providing a venue for the MSMEs to become more innovative and competitive in their businesses.
This year’s summit presents various opportunities and initiatives in gearing up for MSME competitiveness under the 7Ms framework”•Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Money Access, Machines, Markets and Models of Business”•which was introduced and supported by the Asean Economic Community in 2017, the department said.
Duterte also underscored his “burning desire” to end the 5-6 lending scheme.
“Either I stop the 5-6 or I will stop the collectors,” he said.