Jee Y. Geronimo

*This article was published on Rappler.com  last October 2, 2014. For the online version, click HERE.

In the Philippines, about 200 higher education institutions already offer programs on entrepreneurship

POWER OF EDUCATION. Senator Pia Cayetano, CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, and TESDA Director-General Joel Villanueva talk about why social entrepreneurship also involves the young. Photos by Linh Do/Gawad Kalinga

BULACAN, Philippines – Government officials and social entrepreneurs both agree: It’s the countryside’s time to shine.

"The real hope are people from state universities, people from rural schools and public schools,” Gawad Kalinga (GK) Founder Tony Meloto said at the 2nd Social Business Summit on Thursday, October 2.

Senator Pia Cayetano agreed, saying there is a need to empower the countryside through social entrepreneurship and the development of state universities.

“Manila and Metro Cebu are overcongested. We want to bring this to the countryside,” the chair of the Senate committee on education, arts, and culture added.

GK Executive Director Luis Oquiñena also urged budding social entrepreneurs to go to the countryside, since Manila already has too many entrepreneurs.

"To end poverty, we should go to communities and know the people by name. Personalize it, so no one is left behind,” Oquiñena said.

>>Read the full article HERE.

>>Read about the Social Business Summit 2014 HERE