Bicol University
Building Resilience: Empowering Microenterprises Through Contextualized Business Continuity Planning
Finalist, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability
About
The Training on Micro-Enterprise Resiliency Plan (MERP) was developed as a contextualized Business Continuity Plan (BCP) specifically for micro-entrepreneurs. Recognizing that traditional BCP frameworks are designed for larger businesses, the program adapts these concepts into practical strategies that address the unique challenges and vulnerabilities of small-scale enterprises. The MERP was developed based on research assessing micro-enterprises’ capacity for disaster risk reduction management and tailoring the BCP to their specific needs.
The output of this research, MERP, was extended through the Micro-Enterprise Resiliency Initiative for Enterprise Sustainability (MERIES), which trained 300 micro-entrepreneurs throughout the Philippines and produced copyrighted modules for standardized implementation. MERIES is implemented through strong partnerships with development practitioners, including APAD, local government units, and NGOs, ensuring both technical rigor and community engagement. The program integrates tailored BCPs into barangay-level Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans, enhancing individual business resilience and community preparedness.
Top 3 learnings
- We learned that localized approaches increase participation and relevance.
- We realized strong partnerships are critical for sustainability.
- We found continuous training ensures long-term community resilience.
Sustainable Development Goals
| 2026 | |
| Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability | |
| Finalist, International |
