Quezon City, Philippines—On April 30, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reaffirmed its dedication to inclusive and sustainable development by supporting the National Social Entrepreneurship Conference (NSEC) 2025, held at the University of the Philippines Diliman from April 29 to 30, 2025.

Anchored on the theme “Scaling Change: Advances of Social Enterprises in Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development,” the conference showcased the growing role of social enterprises in accelerating the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly by empowering marginalized communities.

The NSEC 2025 explored how emerging technologies—from digital inclusion and clean energy to climate tech and gender-focused innovations—are reshaping the landscape of social entrepreneurship.

A significant part of the program highlighted pioneering initiatives that mobilize the poor and underserved as active stakeholders in development initiatives. Discussions also covered topics such as impact investing, financing models, and policies essential to social enterprise sustainability and growth.

A highlight of the conference was a keynote discussion led by the DTI, titled “Enabling Social Enterprises as Partners of Government in Achieving a Single Digit Poverty Rate.”

In her video message, Secretary Cristina A. Roque underscored the agency’s steadfast support for strengthening the social enterprise sector as part of the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda. She emphasized their critical role in complementing government efforts to reduce poverty.

Echoing this statement, Regional Operations Group Supervising Head and Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona highlighted the Department’s ongoing initiatives to empower Filipino social entrepreneurs in fostering a future-ready and inclusive economy.

“Let us choose the braver path. Let us build a future where poverty is not a generational sentence but a solvable challenge—where progress is measured not only by GDP, but by lives uplifted, communities empowered, and dreams realized,” said Undersecretary Lantayona.

This landmark event was co-organized by the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia, University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries, and the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship Coalition.

The event convened diverse stakeholders committed to advancing social entrepreneurship and driving systemic change by exchanging insights. Attendees included social entrepreneurs, policymakers, social enterprise support institutions, government representatives, academics, business leaders, investors, donors, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and student leaders.

By aligning public policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship with social good, the DTI and its partners at NSEC 2025 are scaling meaningful change not just for enterprise but for the future of the Filipino people.

As social enterprises continue to gain global recognition for addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, the Philippines remains at the forefront of this movement through strategic platforms like NSEC 2025.

According to the 2025 Social Enterprise Profiling Report, the country hosts over 202,000 social enterprises—comprising around 16% of all registered enterprises nationwide. These are spread across all 18 regions, with 44% based in Luzon, 35% in Mindanao, and 21% in the Visayas. Collectively, they make significant contributions to critical sectors including agriculture and food systems, tourism, services, cultural industries, and manufacturing. ♦

Date of Release: 05 May 2025

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