Filipina entrepreneurs—many of them mothers—are powering the Philippine economy, owning 66% of existing businesses and 62% of newly registered enterprises. Yet despite this outsized contribution, many women-led MSMEs struggle to scale due to limited access to capital, gaps in digital adoption, and the challenge of balancing business and family responsibilities.
Despite their strong presence, many women-led enterprises remain constrained—highlighting the need for more coordinated support systems to help them grow and scale sustainably.
At the recent 4th Gawad Madiskarte, leaders from government and development organizations emphasized a clear call: resilience alone is not enough. Filipina entrepreneurs need stronger institutional support to scale.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte highlighted the role of local governments in helping entrepreneurs transition from informal ventures into scalable enterprises. Programs like “Pangkabuhayang QC” provide capital assistance and mentorship to support business formalization and growth.
“Our goal is to guide entrepreneurs as they grow into formal enterprises that can create more opportunities,” Belmonte said, adding that support systems such as accessible childcare services are equally critical in enabling mothers to focus on innovation and expansion.
Echoing this call, UN Women Philippines Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina described investing in women entrepreneurs as a “smart macroeconomic strategy,” noting that many remain underserved despite their significant presence in the MSME sector.
“Women entrepreneurs must not only be supported, they must be seen, recognized, and protected within the system,” Mesina said, calling for gender-responsive policies and stronger leadership commitment.
Meanwhile, Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla pointed to digital inclusion as a critical growth driver. Programs such as Elevate AIDA are already equipping women with skills in artificial intelligence and data annotation, opening up new income opportunities, particularly for those working from home.
Marking its fifth year, PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH)—now one of the largest mompreneur communities in the Philippines with over 228,000 members—is strengthening its role as a key enabler of growth, supporting women from startup to scale through training, mentorship, and community.
“At its core, entrepreneurship goes beyond hitting sales targets. It is about building a strong support system that empowers entrepreneurs to sustain growth, overcome challenges, and scale with confidence, so they can better serve Filipino communities and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress,” said Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr., Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer of PLDT.
Through training, mentorship, and peer support, MMPH helps women launch and grow their businesses. The platform also spotlights success stories through its annual Gawad Madiskarte awards, recognizing outstanding mompreneurs across different stages of business.
From home kitchens to online marketplaces, Filipina mompreneurs continue to turn small spaces into thriving enterprises— uplifting families and communities along the way.
But unlocking the full potential of women-led MSMEs will require more than resilience. It will take coordinated action across government, private sector, and communities to ensure these businesses not only survive, but scale.
As MMPH enters its fifth year, the message is clear: investing in the Filipina entrepreneur is not just a social good. It is an economic imperative.
