As part of the itinerary of travel of Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ A. Aquino IV in Laguna Province on October 6, 2016, Senator Bam together with the delegations from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – IV A and DTI – Laguna headed by Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo and Provincial Director Susan R. Palo, respectively, visited the projects at the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) – Sta. Cruz Main Campus, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Senator Bam and DTI delegates were warmly welcomed by the LSPU – Sta. Cruz Main Campus President, Dr. Nestor M. De Vera.

Before the project visit, Senator Bam delivered an inspirational message to about 200 entrepreneurship students of LSPU. He mentioned in his speech that he currently chairs the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture and formerly chaired the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

In his message, Senator Bam talked about his first law passed, the Republic Act No. 10644, otherwise known as Go Negosyo Act. He emphasized that the establishment of Negosyo Centers in different cities and municipalities in the Philippines is the main purpose of the law. He mentioned also the services being offered by the negosyo centers,where would-be entrepreneurs like them can avail. He stressed out that through this, our nation can achieve the inclusive growth.

Senator Bam shared also his experience as a social entrepeneur. He said that putting up a business is not easy, you will encounter a lot of struggles. Despite that, it is worth it once you learn to put your heart and mind into it.

At the end of his speech, he reiterated that most Filipinos want to help their respective families by providing their necessities. And the only thing to make it happen is if those individuals have a stable job or a secured business. Thus, he assured the students that as long as he is in the senate, he will find ways to make policies to help achieve it and to ensure that those policies will be implemented accordingly.

After the short encounter with the entrepreurship students, Senator Bam immediately proceeded to the CALABARZON’s Food Solution Hub (CFoSH), a collaborative project of DTI – Laguna, LSPU – Sta. Cruz Main Campus, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Laguna and Association of Laguna Food Processors (ALAFOP). He personally witnessed on how the equipment are being used by the ALAFOP members, other food processors and LSPU students. He heard also from the users on how those equipment help them to increase their production capacity and to improve their products.

Finally, Senator Bam went to the opening of ALAFOP’s Panuluyan Convergence at main entrance of LSPU – Sta. Cruz Main Campus. This is a pasalubong center and at the same time a Co-Working Space for the members and LSPU students. During said event, a short dialogue between ALAFOP members and LSPU’s young entrepreneurs with DTI IV A Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo, DOST – IV A Assistant Regional Director Lydia Manguiat and LSPU – Sta. Cruz Main Campus Nestor De Vera was organized. Issues and concerns of ALAFOP members specifically on logistics and FDA registration were tackled and products produced by LSPU’s young entrepreneurs were presented. The senator assured the ALAFOP members that he will look into their issues and concerns while Director Toledo promised to help the LSPU’s young entrepreneurs in the pricing and costing as well as in the marketing.