World Trade Center Lobby, Pasay City
May 18, 2022
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte attended the 14th staging of the Puregold Sari-Sari Store Negosyo Convention 2022 – the largest gathering of neighborhood small retail store operators and other business owners in the country — at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
The President conveyed his appreciation for the efforts made by Puregold Price Club, Inc. in assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in adopting innovations to grow their businesses, as well as help the country’s labor force by providing employment opportunities.
“This administration has always recognized Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises as one of the backbones of our economy. With the countless jobs that SMEs produce for the country’s growing labor force, they aid in our aim to utilize our people’s talents and in our fight to reduce hunger and poverty,” said President Duterte, adding that SMEs are vulnerable to ‘external shocks’ such as financial crises, disasters, and forced changes in the business movement and environment as evidently observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carrying the theme, ‘Tuloy Natin ang Pagsasama, Tuloy Natin ang Pag-Asenso’, this year’s convention of small retail operators and other business owners focuses on maintaining the innovations and services established in helping sari-sari store owners grow their businesses.
“I thus wish to stress that this activity that Puregold has created is significant and truly worth commending. As our SMEs are exposed to meaningful exchanges with suppliers, manufacturers and fellow entrepreneurs, they are pushed to adopt innovations and strategies that would help them achieve stability and success,” President Duterte remarked.
Likewise, he expressed optimism for Puregold’s continued dedication to assisting small businesses like the sari-sari stores, and conveyed his hopes that the company remains constant in “enabling business practices for its customers and stakeholders.”
At the end of his remarks, President Duterte genuinely expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people who have helped him achieve his goals for the past six (6) years as the nation’s Chief Executive.
“For those who believe in me and for — I am on my tail end sa presidency ko. Pero ‘yung tumulong sa akin, nagsuporta all these years at ‘yung umintindi ng mga hangarin ko sa ating bayan and who have brought me, kayo, sa pagka-Presidente ko for six years, I would like to express my gratitude sa inyo at maraming salamat po,” the President ended.
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