Senator Bam Aquino said corruption and alleged extortion by government employees are among the major obstacles preventing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from growing.
Aquino made the remarks as he opened a Senate Committee on Trade and Industry hearing focused on the difficulties faced by MSMEs in expanding their businesses.
“Dapat alisin na natin ang korapsyon at hulihin ang mga empleyado na humihingi ng lagay para mapabilis ang proseso,” he said.
The senator said the inquiry aims to identify the challenges encountered by small business owners, particularly complaints involving corruption and alleged demands for bribes that could negatively affect their operations.
“Kasama na po rito ang hinaharap ng mga MSME na pangongotot at korapsyon na nakikita nila na pumapatay sa kanilang mga negosyo,” Aquino said.
Representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were invited to the hearing, as Aquino said these agencies have been frequently mentioned in complaints raised by entrepreneurs.
“Iyong mga ahensya po na nandito, kayo po iyong napili namin, BIR, BFP, FDA, because to be frank, marami po sa mga complaints ng mga entrepreneur, sa inyo po rin tinutukoy,” he said.
Aquino emphasized the importance of MSMEs to the Philippine economy, noting that they account for the vast majority of registered businesses in the country and provide livelihood to a significant portion of the workforce.
“Halos 99% ng mga rehistradong negosyo sa ating bansa ay MSMEs, at halos dalawa sa bawat tatlong nagtatrabaho ay nakaugnay sa kanila,” he said.
With MSMEs playing a major role in employment and economic activity, Aquino said the government must address the problems confronting small businesses to help them remain viable, expand their operations, and create more jobs.