Sustainability Challenges and Business Discontinuity Among Micro and Small Enterprises in Cainta Rizal: Basis for Sustainable Business Development Framework

Abstract

This study explores the challenges related to sustainability and the evolving needs of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Cainta, Rizal to avoid business discontinuity within the framework of national and international policy contexts.  Utilizing a quantitative approach through a structured survey carried out to 378 MSE owners and representatives. The researcher applied both inferential and descriptive statistics to examine the data and figure out what are the most pressing issues were with sustainability.

The research examines the demographic, operational, and contextual characteristics of local micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Cainta, Rizal which the result emphasized that the sector predominantly consists of young, female-led micro enterprises focused in retail, food and beverage, manufacturing, and services. The data revealed that MSEs are open to new ideas and continuously support environmental concerns, however these are still considered as part of their challenges along with numerous obstacles, such as intense market competition, the risk of natural disasters, insufficient formal management training, and a lack of digital technology adoption. Consequently, due to lack of expertise, inadequate infrastructure, and hard-to-get financing make it harder for them to be resilient and competitive. The researcher uses these notions to make a localized framework for sustainable business growth that is closely tied to the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry's MSMED Plan 2023–2028, the ASEAN SME Policy Index 2024, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 17. The proposed framework includes being resilient after natural disasters, becoming digitally ready, improving social capital, protecting the environment, making it adaptable to diverse markets, and making it less complicated for MSEs to access financial support from government and banks. The suggestions highlight how crucial it is for the government, banks, and people in the community to work together to make a safe, innovative, and welcoming space for business owners.  This integrated approach aims to help Cainta's micro and small firms to prosper despite the current economic and environmental concerns, while also helping to achieve larger national and international development goals.