On July 8, 2024, UNAWA transformed the Quezon City Experience (QCX) at Quezon Memorial Circle into an epicenter of digital transformation for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises when they launched the “Capacity Development for SMEs” event.

This pivotal gathering, which forms part of USAID’s SPEED (Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy) initiative, was expertly delivered by StartUp Village and saw enthusiastic participation from members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

UNAWA COO Atty. Gino Jacinto addressing queries from the audience

The event aimed to invigorate the Philippine economy and enhance business viability through cutting-edge digital solutions. Earlier last June, MSMEs from Victorias City also got a much-needed boost when top executives of UNAWA visited the city to organize the USAID SPEED event in line with the celebration of World MSME Day.

UNAWA: Highlighting the e-signature advantage

One of the highlights of the event includes a workshop with Atty. Gino Jacinto, COO of UNAWA, who delivered an insightful presentation titled “From Ink to Click: The Electronic Signature Advantage for Small Businesses.”

Atty. Jacinto underscored the crucial role of digitization and electronic signatures in today’s business landscape, drawing attention to the E-Commerce Act (Republic Act No. 8792). This Act, enacted in 2000, recognizes the legal validity and admissibility of electronic documents and signatures, granting them the same legal standing as traditional physical documents.

Atty. Jacinto (with mic) shares how the E-Commerce Act offers a robust legal framework for e-transactions

Atty. Jacinto elaborated on how the E-Commerce Act provides a robust legal framework for electronic transactions, thus promoting technological adoption in business and ensuring the legal environment keeps pace with the evolving digital era.

He shared that electronic documentation does not only streamline business processes but also helps significantly reduce administrative time while enhancing security. Central to his presentation was UNAWA’s innovative SignSecure platform, the only e-signature solution in the Philippines equipped with a proprietary facial recognition biometric system, ensuring unparalleled security at each step.

The advanced features of SignSecure resonated deeply with PCCI members, who appreciated the platform’s robust identity verification capabilities, ensuring enhanced security and compliance.

Atty. Jacinto emphasized that adopting electronic signatures can help SMEs streamline processes, maintain accurate records, simplify compliance, and reduce costs, enabling businesses to reinvest savings into other critical areas.

UNAWA continues to advocate legal tech innovation in the Philippines, steadfastly supporting MSMEs in their digital transformation journey. The “Capacity Development for SMEs” event marked a significant milestone in empowering businesses through technology, fostering a more robust and inclusive digital economy.

With initiatives like these, the future of Philippine MSMEs looks brighter than ever, paving the way for a digitally empowered and economically resilient nation.

About UNAWA

UNAWA, a pioneering Filipino legal tech company, is at the forefront of the movement towards a paperless Philippines. By offering advanced technology solutions, UNAWA aims to accelerate digital transformation for government, enterprises, MSMEs, and individual users.

The company ensures the entire document lifecycle is digitized while maintaining legally binding effects, integrating the latest technology with the extensive legal expertise of its founding partner, PJS Law.

UNAWA’s award-winning suite of solutions empowers organizations of all sizes to conduct digital transactions with confidence. Their offerings include secure, one-time-use forms for online data collection that comply with Philippine data privacy laws, and non-repudiation features for legally binding e-signatures.

Additionally, their automated workflow engines facilitate seamless, digitized transactions, significantly reducing red tape and transaction times.

By addressing the inefficiencies of manual business processes and over-reliance on paper, UNAWA aims to create a more efficient and trustworthy digital ecosystem. Their products ensure the authenticity, validity, storage, and security of digital documents and transactions, building trust in our digital ecosystem and institutions.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES