No boundaries: How microentrepreneurs use digital solutions to achieve growth
for Digital Financial Inclusion Awards
MANILA, Philippines — For Filipino microentrepreneurs today, digital tools are pathways leading to opportunity and success.
The 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards (DFIA) celebrates the role of technology and innovation in shaping sustainable economic growth and recognizes microentrepreneurs and microfinance institutions (MFIs) that have used digital solutions to grow their businesses and uplift their communities.
Here are some of their stories.
Scaling beyond the local market
Digital platforms for selling and cashless payments make it possible for microentrepreneurs to serve customers beyond their local communities.
A former overseas Filipino worker, Josephia Azores of San Mateo, Isabela, built her own website to offer wooden kitchenware and dinnerware to customers outside the country, who can conveniently settle payments through GCash, Maya, and Paypal. This has led to increased sales.
Selling through Facebook or TikTok and Messenger and accepting cashless payments have helped community-based food products find wider audiences.
One example is Mylene Bersabal of Guindulman, Bohol, who is opening up new markets for her business, Kaluha Mushroom Food Hub. In a similar way, Carmelita Dapanas of Manticao, Misamis Oriental, who owns Dapanas Fruits and Vegetable Farm, uses digital tools to market her products to hotels and restaurants outside her city.
Beyond storefronts
Social media channels and e-commerce sites like Shopee, Lazada and TikTok have become growth engines for businesses that would traditionally require a physical store. Through these digital platforms, Roby Grace Bernabe of Valenzuela City, Manila, is able to serve customers nationwide. Her printing business enjoys significant growth because of the convenience of built-in courier services, and the use of cashless payment methods, including online bank transfers.
The same platforms are key to the bag manufacturing business of Ailyn Flormata of Minglanilla, Cebu, who uses Shopee and TikTok not only to promote products but to reach new buyers.
For Raquel Lanaban of Bilusa, Davao City—who makes paper wallets and bags—social media channels with instant messaging are tools for answering inquiries and completing transactions with customers.
Scrolling and selling
Social media has played a key role in creating opportunities for garments and food businesses. RJ De Chavez of Sta. Maria, Laguna, owner of Lapoy Bistro, continues to attract new diners who discover her restaurant through social media, where she regularly posts photos of guests enjoying their food.
Through social media channels, Gladys Maipid of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, connects directly with customers of her food processing business. She turns inquiries into repeat purchases as she also offers contactless payment methods like GCash, Maya, and online bank transfer.
A similar approach works for Annalisa Monil of Bilar, Bohol, whose Bilar Stem Vegetable Farm operates a store in Tagbilaran City and also supplies fresh produce to resorts and restaurants in Panglao. Serving customers in different locations is also no issue, since she is able to communicate and transact with them online and send their products via a courier.
For Edna Maloon of Bogo City, Cebu, who runs a formal wear gown rental business, Facebook has become the main channel for inquiries and reservations, while payments are accepted via cashless payment.
Celebrating digital champions
Together, their stories highlight the value of digital solutions in reaching wider markets, driving sales growth and creating a seamless customer experience. Their respective MFIs, which provide the necessary financial services, also play a crucial role in their progress.
As part of the DFIA program, these microentrepreneurs, along with seven others, received P100,000 each in cash grants and brand-new laptops to help accelerate their digital journey.
The other awardees are Lorlie Noblezada, Rosalie Orijola, Cecilia Oroc, Maricar Pagao, Danise Palermo, Niel Danica Polong and Alan Romero. At the institutional level, GRF Hublag Microfinance Foundation Inc., MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center and Taytay Sa Kausawagan Inc., were also recognized for their leadership in advancing digital financial inclusion.
Jointly organized by the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI) and the Citi Foundation, with the support of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the DFIA champions inclusive progress through digital transformation.
The awardees were selected by the National Selection Committee, co-chaired by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Eli Remolona Jr. and Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila.
Other committee members include Jose Ma. Concepcion III, founder, Go Negosyo; Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, CEO, Inquirer Group of Companies; Ramon Lopez, independent director, SM Investments Corporation and former Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Salve Ibañez, president, Empower and Transform, and anchor at ABS-CBN News Channel; Lisette Cipriano, senior digital technology specialist, Asian Development Bank; Kenneth Francisco, deputy treasurer, Department of Finance, Bureau of Treasury; Atty. Rachel Remalante, director, Corporate Governance and Finance Department, Securities and Exchange Commission; and Joseph Francisco Ortega, chairperson, National Youth Commission.
Editor’s Note: This press release is sponsored by Digital Financial Inclusion Awards. It is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.
