On Rising Together Through Supporting SMEs

In the first week of June, while most of Davao Region has already shifted to a Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). However, due to its constantly rising cases, Davao City remained under a General Community Quarantine state. This led to a surge in the number of small businesses that had to stop their operations, indefinitely. A good business plan is one that withstands anything the market has to throw at it, this is why most entrepreneurs come up with a complete business model canvas- with key partners, activities, value propositions, and cashflow all figured out, we’d think we can be invincible. But a pandemic, one that has brought the entire world’s economy down, is something no one can be prepared for. 

The Department of Labor and Employment XI released data last June 8, 2020, that over 10,000 employers in Davao Region have expressed their plan to retrench workers or entirely close down operations due to the losses acquired during the pandemic. Of these 10,000 companies at least 200,000 workers will be affected. This is not only happening to us, it is happening to the entire world. 

As much as Filipinos are resilient, we are also known for our acts of Bayanihan-- that is working together in order to achieve a goal. Every day, more groups and pages are surfacing online with the call: support local small businesses. In the midst of all the chaos, we have been doing nothing but supporting each other. Craving something? You can order from one seller near you to another! In need of baking supplies but the store is too far? You can easily find a local store online and they will have it delivered right to your doorstep in no time. But more than the convenience of supporting local businesses brings to our daily lives, here are a few soulful reasons why you must continue or start doing so:

It provides a safe space for local farmers to endorse their products.

With the rise of imported products and produce, the local farmers, most of whom have only their farm as a source of income, have been neglected. As per Zarina de Luna, owner of Mother Tongue, a local business in Luzon that sells mushroom chili sauce, supporting small businesses “supports a sustainable food system since all the ingredients are sourced from our local farmers. When we buy food from our local farmers, we contribute to our community’s economy.”

It showcases the richness of Philippines resources. 

When local entrepreneurs and farmers team up together, they make high-quality products that exceed international standards. MSMEs do not need to look any further when it comes to supplies. The Philippines is rich with natural resources that can produce amazing products. All you need to do is look.

It allows budding entrepreneurs to earn a living through their passion.

Small businesses often start from an act of the heart. With the passion to serve the products to a wider scope of audience, the goal is to give the public the taste of comfort, home, and richness the Philippines has to offer.

Malagos Garden Resort’s roots are entwined with that of our local farmers’. With their produce and our initiative, we were able to come up with a Davao resort that now offers both relaxation and farm-fresh meals. Through this passion-driven endeavor, we were also able to cope with the onset of the pandemic. The Malagos Homegrown Produce budded and is now slowly, with your support, is proving to become one wildflower that will withstand this adversity-- in the setting of a new normal for small businesses in Davao. Let us continue supporting local businesses and local farmers in our area. Shop at Malagos Homegrown Produce and let us carry our community to the next level, together.