'Made in QC' helps small local businesses thrive amid the pandemic

Businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine and lockdown measures forced most establishments to close with MSMEs struggling to cope with the crisis.

Being a home to many home-grown businesses, the Quezon City Government implemented measures to support its local MSMEs and help them prosper in the city.

As many storefronts and offices were closed by the pandemic, small business owners adapted new digital strategies and tools to keep their businesses alive. The QC LGU saw these businesses' efforts and how they continued to struggle amid the crisis.

Fostering a healthy business climate

Even before the pandemic, the local government recognized local MSMEs by publishing Made in QC, a coffee table book promoting small businesses in the city. To date, the book has three volumes—two of which were conceptualized in the middle of the pandemic, titled Food Essentials and Emerging Essentials.

The books also tell stories of these enterprises, providing a testament to how QC fosters a healthy business climate that allows many start-up companies, especially MSMEs, to prosper in the city.

Through Made in QC, the QC Government provided assistance to MSMEs by collaborating with them and providing a platform where they can promote and market their products and brands not just in QC, but elsewhere.

With the city government aiming for sustainability, they found more channels to help the enterprises expand their presence, apart from the books. One of which is through the MIQC Artisan's Caravan, a mall trade show allowing local artisans to sell products—ranging from food, apparel, fashion accessories, personal care, home decor, and local inventions—during mall tours.

Many of these businesses are owned and ran by women, while a handful are social enterprises that engage women in depressed communities, providing mothers with the opportunities and livelihood to better their lives without having to leave their children at home.

As the city marks its 82nd Foundation Anniversary in October 2021, it continues to create a business environment allowing entrepreneurs to flourish.

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Editor's Note: This article was provided by the Quezon City Government.