ZAMBOANGA CITY — Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña on Monday encouraged the women sector to engage in business to empower themselves and have financial independence.
Avanceña, President Rodrigo Duterte’s partner, led Monday’s opening of the One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) center at a shopping mall here. The OTOP center is a project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Avanceña encouraged women to be diligent and to be patient in manning their own business to earn a decent living.
She said businessmen have to be patient even if it takes years to earn a profit, adding that “it is worth the wait”.
“I’m encouraging you basta magtiyaga ka, marunong ka, masipag ka, magnegosyo ka lang sa Pilipinas, buhay ka na (if you’re diligent, wise and hardworking, you can make it),” she said.
She also encouraged businessmen to pay the correct taxes as they play a vital role as employment providers.
Avanceña herself is an experienced entrepreneur, being an owner of Mister Donut franchise, a meat shop, and a gasoline station in Davao City.
The OTOP center aims to provide an avenue to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products.
OTOP aims to promote goods and products of Filipino towns, cities and regions, and provides funding for small businesses. (R. G. Antonet Go/PNA)
