President Benigno S. Aquino III assured sari-sari store owners, micro, small and medium enterprise advocates and entrepreneurs of continued government support in their endeavors in order for them to effectively run their respective businesses.

In his speech keynoting the 7th Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, the President told the participants that they could count on the government as a partner in the upliftment and betterment of their lives.

And this, the President said, has started with the easing of requirements needed to put up a small business.

He pointed out that the usual practice of having to go from office to office just to get the required papers to register a business has now been made easy through the Philippine Business Registry and Business Name Registration System.

“Hindi po ba’t noon, kulang na lang ay tumambling ka patungo sa iba’t ibang opisina, sa iba’t ibang sulok ng ating mga bayan para lang makakuha ng mga papeles tulad ng PAG-IBIG at SSS? Imbes na gobyerno po ‘nung araw ang tutulong sa inyo, parang sila pa ang naghahatid ng perwisyo. Ngayon po, napabilis na natin ang mga proseso para sa business registration sa pamamagitan ng ating Philippine Business Registry at Business Name Registration System (In the past, processing of papers in agencies like PAG-IBIG and SSS required numerous procedures from different offices. Instead of the government helping you, it seemed like it was responsible for bringing in difficulties. Now, business registration process has become more efficient through the Philippine Business Registry and Business Name Registration System),” the President said.

He added that the simple task of getting a business permit is now undergoing tweaking and fine-tuning in order to make it easier.

“Mayroon na rin po tayong SME Caravans na nag-iikot sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa upang mahikayat ang ating mga kababayan na magnegosyo o kaya ay mapalago ang kanilang kasalukuyang negosyo. Sa katunayan, mula po Abril ng 2011, umabot na sa dalawampu’t apat na lugar sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa ang nabisita ng naturang Caravan. Halos labing-walong libong Pilipino po ang nakiisa sa atin dito (We also have SME Caravans that travel in different regions to encourage our fellowmen to do business or enrich their current business. In fact, the Caravan has visited twenty-four places around the country since April 2011. Almost eighteen thousand Filipinos are showing their cooperation in this endeavor),” he added.

The President said that the easing of rules and requirements of putting up a business in the country has been felt around the world and is seen with the increasing confidence international business communities have on the country to invest here.

“Maging ang ibang bansa, ramdam na rin ang pagbabago sa Pilipinas. Dahil sa mabuting pamamahala, patuloy na tumataas ang kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante—lokal man o dayuhan—na mamuhunan sa atin pong bayan (Other countries are feeling the change in the Philippines. Through good governance, businessmen continue to increase their confidence in our country--local or international),” the President said.

He enjoined all Filipinos to make their dreams for themselves and their families a reality by investing their skill anjd fortitude in becoming a business owner and entrepreneur.

“Ang pangarap, magsimula man sa pira-piraso, ay posibleng makamit kapag tinambalan ng sigasig at pagsusumikap. Sama-sama po nating paunlarin ang ating bayan tungo sa mas masaganang kinabukasan (A dream may start out as something small, but it is possible to reach it if you put in perseverance and hard work. Let us together improve our country towards a more prosperous tomorrow),” the President said.