RP shows how to help, not exploit, the poor
Friday, June 13, 2008
SARI-SARI stores, sachets, electronic loads and unlimited texting. These are just some of the models that the Philippines will be sharing with the rest of Asia on how entrepreneurs can better serve and reach the $3.5-billion ?base of the pyramid? (BoP) market in the region.
The Ateneo School of Government, with funding support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, is now embarking on a three-year study to document the best practices employed by local entrepreneurs, as well as innovations by the research and development sector, on how they have successfully served the needs of society?s poor population that are living on a daily income of under $2.
Dr. Antonio la Vi?a, dean of the Ateneo School of Government, said similar studies will also be done in other parts of the region, and this wealth of experiences will be exchanged by Asian countries.
The IDRC, la Vi?a said, has already committed to give up to $25,000 in grants for each study to be undertaken. For Southeast Asia, the focus is on how science and technology innovations can effectively address the developmental needs of the economically marginalized sector in the region.
