Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the cultural sector are calling on the government to repair a fragmented support system and implement coordinated, end-to-end assistance to prevent business stagnation and the loss of cultural heritage.
The recommendations, presented at Central Luzon State University (CLSU), advocate for a seamless transition from early development to digital adoption.
Entrepreneurs and researchers cited the need for business acceleration programs, expanded financing and shared resources to sustain the enterprises that make up 99.63 percent of business establishments in the country.
The calls for reform were the result of a three-part workshop series organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN).
Participants from across the Philippines examined persistent barriers, noting that without integrated support, many enterprises risk closure along with the livelihoods they provide.
Local and sectoral recommendations focused on strengthening ecosystems through enhanced Negosyo Center services and expanded shared service facilities.
Business leaders also pushed for improved market access through platforms like One Town, One Product, as well as trade fairs and tourism outlets. They paired these requests with calls for local government-led tax incentives and regulatory relief to encourage women and youth-led enterprises to formalize their operations.
At the national level, the group said financing and regulatory frameworks should align with existing creative economy policies.
Digital transformation was identified as a critical priority, with participants proposing accredited IT advisory networks, subsidized digital maturity assessments, and government-backed loan guarantees to help rural enterprises bridge the technological gap.
The workshops underscored that cultural MSMEs generate nearly 67 percent of employment in the Philippines.
PIDS president Arnold Philip Tuaño said women-led cultural enterprises are not merely economic actors but are keepers of collective memory and weavers of cultural fabric. He said that institutionalized support is required to transform passion-driven beginnings into a sustainable national legacy.
Central Luzon State University president Evaristo Abella said meaningful progress happens when research, governance and communities work hand in hand.
He said translating the lived experiences of entrepreneurs into action creates the conditions for evidence-based policymaking and more inclusive economic outcomes.
The workshop series was funded by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada through the APEC–Canada Growing Business Partnership and supported by the Canadian government.
