As part of its Roadshow for 2025, the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in collaboration with Xavier University (XU) - Ateneo de Cagayan Campus, hosted a hybrid symposium titled “Sustaining Heritage, Innovating Communities: The Future of Philippine Cultural MSMEs and Agroecotourism” on March 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The event took place at XU in Cagayan de Oro and online via Zoom.
This symposium aims to explore policy recommendations and innovative strategies to support both agroecotourism and cultural MSMEs, acknowledging their shared challenges and growth opportunities. Discussions will focus on community-led enterprise development, the use of technology and digital marketing, and policy frameworks for sustainable and inclusive business models.
The event will feature insights from two key policy studies: “Developing and Sustaining Agroecotourism through a Community-Based Approach” by Dr. Jerelyn Bacalso-Medalla of XU, and “Advancing Innovation in Philippine Cultural MSMEs: Balancing Tradition and Modernization” by Ms. June Ann J. Casimiro, Dr. Karenina B. Romualdo, and Ms. Via Shane R. Santiago of Central Luzon State University, published by PIDS.
For a deeper dive into these topics, you can read the first and second study at https://bit.ly/pidspn2023-19 and https://bit.ly/pidspn2025-05, respectively.
DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS:
Presentation of Dr. Jerelyn Bacalso-Medalla, XU Department of Economics Associate Dean
Presentation of Dr. Karenina B. Romualdo, Central Luzon State University Acting Vice President for Business Affairs