Press Release
March 3, 2007

MR. SIPAG AT TIYAGA URGES PINOYS
TO GO INDEPENDENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL

Senate President Manny Villar, whose rag-to-riches story has inspired many Filipinos to pursue their dreams not only to rise above poverty but to have their own successful business, believes that entrepreneurship will fuel the countrys economic growth.

According to Villar, We need to create a paradigm shift among our people especially the youththat they go to school and earn a diploma not only to get employed afterwards, but there is also the option of putting up their own business.

Sana ma-enganyo natin ang mas nakakarami natin mga kababayan na mag-ambisyon na magnegosyo. We have become a nation of employees. Wala naman masama sa pagiging empleyado pero hindi natin na-develop ang kultura ng pagsasarili o pagnenegosyo. Yan ang gusto kong baguhin na kultura, adds Villar, popularly known as Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga.

Villar also advises those would-be entrepreneurs not to rely on the government to support them, but to be independent since independent-mindedness is part and parcel of being entrepreneurial.

Kung talagang gustong mong magtagumpay sa pagnenegosyo, you do it even without the governments support. Kapag hinintay mo gobyerno, baka matagalan at mahirapan ka lamang, says Villar.

Villar cites though that the government should have a program for entrepreneurs. Sa gobyerno naman, kahit papaano, pilitin natin makatulong at gumawa ng mga programa para makautang ang mga negosyanteng Pinoy.

Villar earlier proposed, through Senate Bill 509, for entrepreneurship to be taught in schools extensively. Entrepreneurial education infused in our school system would remove the old archetype of Philippine schools preparing students to be employees. Entrepreneurial education should start at the earliest level, further cites Villar.

Villars bill seeks the establishment of an Entrepreneurial Education Promotion Act to guide students in learning the principles of the free enterprise and encourage them to pursue entrepreneurship. It proposes lessons in the following areas: business formation and operation, marketing, finance, management, tax and fiscal policies, investment capital, product development among others.

Last year, the Department of Education (DepEd) be pilot-tested the incorporation of entrepreneurship lessons in the existing curricula of the students such as in values education, technology and livelihood courses among others.

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