Consultation on the Joint UN Research on “Unlocking Opportunities to Build a Better Normal: Toward Gender Responsive and Resilient MSMEs in the Manufacturing and Support Industries in the Philippines”

The study included desk research on the impact of Covid-19 on Philippine MSME’s, which included rapid surveys conducted by the Philippine government agencies (DTI, NEDA) and reports by various multi-lateral organizations (ADB, WB and UN). It also includes reviewing relevant policies that were drafted prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and new policies and programs meant to support affected MSME’s. In addition, various consultations were conducted among government and private sector stakeholders to get their views on the MSME situation and to learn about how these sectors responded to address the needs of MSME’s.

The United Nations in the Philippines through collaboration of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) conducted a research towards implementing an evidence-based Socio-economic and Peace Framework (SEPF) in the Philippines.

The engagement aims to conduct an evidence based research that is focused on establishing the current state of MSME’s belonging to the manufacturing sector (specifically food processing) and related support industries to understand and assess the evolving impacts and unique challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, such as:
1. Coping mechanisms, awareness of opportunities, and perceived barriers at the enterprise level with regards to:Preserving employment
Product/service diversification, including access to markets as well as opportunities to participate in the global value chain through exports
Digitalization efforts;
Maintaining cash flows; and
Where they are seeking support

2. MSMEs’ needs and other pre-conditions to help them recover and become better, gender inclusive and greener businesses in the new normal; this should also include a review of how the support from the government, financial institutions and other private sector & interest groups and organizations are contributing to respond to these needs;

3. Emerging good practices that will lead to gender responsive and sustainable recover, and the creation of climate-smart enterprises and green jobs.

4. Understand how all of the above efforts and initiatives can better situate and facilitate women’s opportunity to thrive and lead in the changing business environment and work contexts, further looking at how to enhance strategies and refine mechanisms in place.

For further information please contact:


Ms Ma. Concepcion Sardaña
Senior Programme Officer
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Ms Georginia Pascual
National Project Coordinator
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