Thousands of sari-sari store owners gathered in Pasay City for a three-day convention that trained the spotlight on the vital role of micro-retailers in daily Filipino life.
Held from May 15 to 17 at the World Trade Center, the event brought together members of the Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) program, which supports nearly one million sari-sari store owners across the country.
These microentrepreneurs are part of the broader network of MSMEs—micro, small, and medium enterprises—that make up 99.5 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines.
Sari-sari stores have long served as accessible points for basic goods, offering convenience in neighborhoods where supermarkets may be out of reach.
In many communities, these stores are more than retail hubs—they’re social spaces and livelihood centers rolled into one.
“Sari-sari store owners are not just customers; they are partners in economic growth,” said Vincent Co, president of the retail chain behind the TNAP program.
“We give them the means to thrive in a competitive environment while making a real impact in their communities.”
This year’s convention, themed “Piliin si Aling Puring, Kayang-Kaya Umansenso,” focused on helping store owners build resilience and adapt to changing retail trends.
New tools such as mobile apps and digital wallets were featured to support tasks like inventory management and cashless transactions.
Organizers also noted the program’s expansion in provincial areas through community events and grassroots promotions, especially in growth corridors such as North Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Aside from pricing support and access to branded goods, the initiative aligns with broader goals like digital inclusion and local job generation.
By making small-scale entrepreneurship more sustainable, it contributes to income stability in underserved areas.
“We want to ensure that our Ka-Asensos evolve with us,” Co added.
For many participants, the event served as both a practical resource and a recognition of their day-to-day contributions, keeping communities stocked, connected, and resilient, one small store at a time.
