“Social Entrepreneurs must choose institutions on the basis of long terms relationships rather than transactional ones”, said Mr. Edwin Salonga, SEDPI’s Chairperson, in his speech during the Ateneo De Manila University’s 3rd Annual Social Entrepreneurship Conference. The theme for the year’s conference was “Enabling social Enterprise Harnessing Opportunities for Social Impact”. The two-day conference aimed to shed light on key opportunities for social enterprises in the Philippines. It served as an avenue for stakeholders and social entrepreneurs to gauge existing opportunities in the areas of financing opportunities for social enterprises, the Social Enterprise Bill, technology and social entrepreneurship, and partnership opportunities with the government.
In his speech, Mr. Salonga talked about sifting through financing options for start up and growing social enterprises. He discussed that financing needs vary across the stages of the social enterprise. Mr. Salonga related SEDPI Capital’s experience on getting financial support which diversified as the institution transitioned from the start up stage to expansion stage. He added that there is a wide array of financing possibilities available to social enterprises. Social entrepreneurs, then, must be able to strategically choose which among the options fit the needs of their social enterprise. Such is the key which will allow the social enterprise to get more financing opportunities as they grow. Other speakers such as Jaime Ayala (Ernst and Young’s 2012 Social Entrepreneur of the Year), Mark Ruiz of Microventures Inc., Human Nature’s Anna Meloto-Wilk and Congressman Teddy Casiño were also present among others.
The two-day conference, which was held last November 8 – 9, 2012 at the Leong Hall Auditorium of Ateneo De Manila University, was co-presented by the Development Studies Program of ADMU, the Philippine Social Enterprise Network (PHILSEN), and Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship. Other collaborators for the event were Counselo Foundation, the Foundation for Sustainable Society, Oikocredit and Peace and Equity Foundation.