Filipino Microentrepreneurs Shine at the 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards
Digital tools are no longer just nice-to-haves for small businesses, they are becoming powerful equalizers. This was clearly demonstrated at the 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards (DFIA), where Filipino microentrepreneurs and microfinance institutions were celebrated for using technology to grow their livelihoods and uplift their communities.
Held to recognize how innovation fuels inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the DFIA highlighted inspiring stories of Filipinos who embraced digital solutions proving that financial inclusion can open real opportunities for those often left behind.
Celebrating Digital Progress in Microentrepreneurship
The DFIA is jointly organized by the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) and the Citi Foundation, with support from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Now in its fourth year, the awards continue to champion digital transformation as a key driver of inclusive development in the country’s microfinance sector.
This year’s awarding ceremony brought together leaders from across the financial ecosystem, including BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr., Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila, and MCPI Chairperson Eduardo C. Jimenez. Their shared message was clear: innovation when made accessible can strengthen businesses, communities, and the broader economy.
Empowering Microentrepreneurs Through Technology
At the heart of the celebration were 17 outstanding Filipino microentrepreneurs, each of whom received ₱100,000 in cash grants along with brand-new laptops to help accelerate their digital journeys.
The awardees came from diverse industries that form the backbone of local economies, including agriculture, food production, retail, and handicrafts. Among those recognized were Josephia Azores, Roby Grace Bernabe, Mylene Bersabal, Carmelita Dapanas, RJ De Chavez, Ailyn Flormata, Raquel Lanaban, Gladys Maipid, Edna Maloon, Annalisa Monil, Lorlie Noblezada, Rosalie Orijola, Cecilia Oroc, Maricar Pagao, Danise Palmero, Niel Danica Polong, and Alan Romero.
What connects their stories is not just business success, but adaptability. By adopting tools such as online selling platforms, digital payment systems, and basic business management software, these entrepreneurs were able to expand their reach, improve efficiency, and serve customers better often for the first time beyond their immediate communities.
Recognizing Institutions Driving Digital Inclusion
Beyond individual entrepreneurs, the DFIA also honored three institutions for their leadership in advancing digitalization within the microfinance space. The institutional awardees were:
- GRF Hublag Microfinance Foundation, Inc.
- MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center
- Taytay Sa Kauswagan, Inc.
These organizations play a critical role in making digital tools accessible to microentrepreneurs by integrating technology into lending, training, and support systems. Their efforts help ensure that digital transformation reaches even the most underserved sectors.
Changing the Narrative Around Digital Tools
During the event, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. emphasized that technology is no longer out of reach for small entrepreneurs.
He noted that the long-standing belief that digital tools are too complex or inaccessible no longer holds true. With practical innovations like QR payments, online marketplaces, and simple business systems, microentrepreneurs are redefining what’s possible for their businesses and communities.
Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the DFIA aligns with the Citi Foundation’s mission to promote economic progress in low-income communities. He stressed that the awards celebrate not only business achievements, but also the lives and livelihoods that entrepreneurs continue to uplift through their work.
Building on a Strong Legacy
The DFIA builds on the legacy of the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards, expanding its focus to spotlight how digital innovation and microfinance work hand in hand to advance financial inclusion. Through this platform, MCPI and the Citi Foundation continue to raise awareness about the importance of empowering microentrepreneurs with both capital and technology.
As the program enters its fourth year, it reinforces an important truth: when Filipino entrepreneurs are given the right tools, they don’t just grow their businesses, they help create more resilient, inclusive, and economically vibrant communities.
In a rapidly digitizing world, the stories celebrated at the 4th DFIA serve as a reminder that progress becomes truly meaningful when it reaches everyone.