The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – Tarlac Extension Office and the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) strengthened their partnership to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the SEC Communication, Advocacy, and Network (SEC CAN!) initiative on August 4 in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Prior to the MOA signing, SEC Tarlac Director Atty. Richard R. Laus presented the SEC’s programs and services for MSMEs to the PamCham Board, highlighting the Commission’s initiatives on corporate registration and compliance, good corporate governance, investor protection, financial literacy, and opportunities in the Philippine capital market.
The MOA was signed by Director Laus and PamCham President Atty. Paulino L. Yusi, with SEC Information Officer Mark M. Catacutan and PamCham Chairperson Marco Antonio B. Jimenez serving as witnesses.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to equip our members with the knowledge and tools necessary to traverse the complexities of corporate governance. By fostering a culture of compliance and ethical business practices, we are not only protecting our members but also enhancing the reputation of our local business landscape,” said Atty. Yusi.
For his part, Director Laus emphasized the importance of bringing SEC programs and capital market opportunities closer to the business community.
“Through this partnership, we hope to empower Kapampangan MSMEs with the knowledge they need to become more compliant, well-governed, and financially capable enterprises. We also want to encourage businesses to explore the Philippine capital market as an alternative avenue for raising funds, expanding their operations, and achieving sustainable growth.”
The partnership will facilitate joint investor education seminars, capacity-building activities, and information campaigns aimed at strengthening corporate compliance and governance while increasing awareness of legitimate investment opportunities and capital market financing options.
Through the SEC CAN! initiative, the SEC continues to forge strategic partnerships with stakeholders to bring its programs and services closer to the business community and foster a more informed, compliant, and competitive MSME sector in Central Luzon.