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33,217 MSMEs assisted by DTI

by Gio Tanudtanud
written by Gio Tanudtanud

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI has helped 33,217 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) out of the 53,907 clients in the year 2025.

DTI IX regional director Romeo Castañaga said 50 to 70% of the MSMEs are from the priority industry clusters that are into agri value chains. According to data, 87% (28,906) of the assisted MSMEs are classified as growing enterprises, and 19,753 of the 33,217 are now into e-commerce. 

Through the implementation of the “Industry Cluster Enhancement Strategy,” the agency provided services to eight priority clusters in Region XI, namely cacao, coffee, coconut, rubber,  palm oil, processed fruits and nuts, wearables, and bamboo.

The clusters had generated 14,759 jobs, aided 2,010 MSMEs, and conducted 404 training activities that benefited 10,414 clients. It also monitored P126M worth of investments, $33M of exports, and P277M of domestic sales.

In the year 2025, DTI XI conducted 25 trade fairs, which gathered a total of 462 exhibitors earning P20,020.49 cash and booked sales, and P469,400.03 under nego sales.

Castañaga shared that the “Madayaw! The Davao Region Trade Fair” event, held from Dec. 4 to 7, had a good reception that brought many foreign and institutional buyers to witness the region’s best local products.

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Business

Shopee celebrates 10 years of empowering MSMEs as local businesses generate over US$270 billion on the platform

by Contributor
written by Contributor

MANILA, Philippines — Shopee, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Brazil, commemorates its 10th anniversary with the release of ‘Shopee: A Decade of Impact for Sellers’, its inaugural impact report, and ‘Shopee: Keeping Cultures Alive’, its new regional docuseries. Together, they spotlight how local businesses and communities around the world have leveraged Shopee and the digital economy to grow, preserve cultural heritage, and improve livelihoods over the past decade.

Empowering local businesses in the digital economy

Since launching in 2015, Shopee has been committed to helping sellers take part and succeed in the digital economy. Over the past decade, micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sellers have grown their businesses to achieve more than US$270 billion in sales on Shopee, underscoring the transformative role of e-commerce in driving business growth and creating economic opportunity.

Each year, more sellers have onboarded with Shopee, with the number of MSMEs doubling annually on average. Around 80% of these businesses operate outside capital cities, using Shopee to reach new buyers within their home markets and even across the region.

Beyond access, MSME sellers continue to strengthen their digital skills and confidence through learning resources on Shopee. To date, more than 7.6 million MSME sellers have taken part in Shopee University programs, which include over 1,500 online learning modules, as well as in-person workshops held across 318 cities in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

Over the past decade, Shopee has also played a meaningful role in helping Filipino MSMEs grow online. Local sellers recorded an average 5X increase in annual items sold, while the number of MSME sellers in the Philippines doubled every year on average. Growth has been especially strong in Visayas and Mindanao, where MSME participation saw a 30X uplift, demonstrating how digital commerce enables more entrepreneurs outside Luzon to reach customers nationwide.

“The past decade has been a time of tremendous change as the digital economy opened new opportunities for people and businesses everywhere. We are deeply grateful to our community of MSME sellers who first kickstarted their online journey 10 years ago on our platform, and continue to partner us as they grow and unlock greater success through e-commerce,” said Terence Pang, chief operating officer, Shopee.

Helping MSMEs engage today’s buyers and grow online

As the digital landscape evolved, MSME sellers adapted by using Shopee’s content ecosystem tools and features to reach buyers more effectively online. These include Shopee Live and Shopee Video, which enable sellers to connect with customers in more interactive ways. Since launch, MSME sellers have seen an average yearly increase of more than 300% in Shopee Live orders, enabling them to scale customer engagement and drive stronger sales growth. 

In the Philippines, Shopee Live has become a major growth engine for small sellers, with live orders quadrupling annually for MSMEs. Local creators and affiliates also expanded rapidly, with the PH creator network growing fourfold every year, helping MSMEs increase visibility and deepen shopper engagement.

To reach even wider audiences, sellers without marketing experience or dedicated teams can also expand their customer base through Shopee Affiliate Marketing Solutions (AMS). By collaborating with trusted creators and key opinion leaders, MSME sellers have increased visibility and sales, with AMS contributing to 30% of order increases, further demonstrating how simple, accessible tools can drive meaningful business growth. 

For those ready to expand internationally, the Shopee Export Program (SEP) simplifies cross-border expansion by enabling MSME sellers to seamlessly list their products across multiple markets in the region. Since 2018, more than 2.1 million MSME sellers have joined SEP to extend their reach beyond borders, showing how digital commerce continues to create opportunities for regional growth.

More than 400,000 Filipino MSMEs have also joined the Shopee International Platform (SIP), enabling homegrown entrepreneurs to sell directly to buyers in Singapore and Malaysia. This reflects growing demand for Philippine-made products and shows how Filipino businesses are using Shopee to scale beyond local borders.

Connecting consumers and communities across the region

Over the past decade, Shopee has connected millions of consumers to essential goods and services, no matter where they live. To date, users from more than 400 cities regularly shop on the platform, with over 140 billion items purchased by buyers living outside capital cities. This growth highlights how e-commerce continues to enhance everyday life by bridging geographic barriers and supporting more inclusive access to the digital economy.

The growth of the digital economy has also supported local employment and income opportunities across the region. More than 97% of Shopee employees are local talent, while over 23 million affiliates and creators have joined the Shopee Affiliate Program (SAP) to build an alternative source of income. To date, affiliate earnings have grown by over 90% on average each year, helping individuals across the region create new and sustainable income streams.

Shopee Philippines continues to expand opportunities at home by hiring predominantly local talent, with over 90% of its workforce composed of Filipino employees, supporting the growth of the country’s digital and e-commerce ecosystem.

Launch of new ‘Shopee: Keeping Cultures Alive’ docuseries

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Shopee will be launching a regional docuseries titled “Shopee: Keeping Cultures Alive.” The series spotlights local sellers across Southeast Asia and Taiwan whose inspiring journeys reflect how entrepreneurship and culture go hand-in-hand in shaping a more inclusive and connected digital future.

Through the seven themes of passion, tradition, transformation, modernisation, heritage, community, and empowering women, the docuseries captures the spirit of sellers who are building their businesses online while preserving what makes their culture unique. 

The docuseries will launch soon on Shopee’s official YouTube channels, celebrating the people and partnerships that have shaped its first decade, and the shared progress that will define the next.

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Business

2,000 NMSMEs learn digital solutions, financial literacy

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

OVER 2,000 nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs)  gathered at the TindaNow Mindanao Summit 2025 on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Tagum City Hall Atrium.

Powered by leading finance superapp, GCash, NMSMEs learned financial literacy and digital tools in collaboration with the Local Government of Tagum City, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Tagum City Council of Women Foundation Incorporated.

GCash also introduced digital innovations such as GCash for Business (G4B), and GCash Pera Outlet Plus to help the NMSMEs in business resilience.

Cleo Celeste Santos, GCash vice president and head of public sector, said the summit aims  to support small enterprises which are considered underserved.

“We are really pursuing financial inclusion and to give every community access to safe fast convenient financial services,” Santos told reporters.

entrepreneur the tools and confidence to grow through practical financial education and safe, accessible digital solutions,” Santos said.

The new GCash Pera Outlet Plus Dagdag Kabuhayan Program offers small store owners an additional income through Cash in/ Cash out and pay bills feature.

Meanwhile, GCash for Business (G4B) introduced efficient digital solutions like SoundPay and Pocket Pay that streamline payment collection.

Mayor Rey Uy said in his message delivered by Councilor Uloy Ong, the Committee Chairperson for Tourism, Sisterhood Ties, and International Relations said the summit is a reflection of the city’s commitment no matter how small the enterprise is, and is a part of the economic landscape of the city.

“As we embrace digitalization in partnership with GCash, we are opening doors to new opportunities: wider markets, faster transactions, safer payments, and more efficient business operations,”he said.

“Digital tools empower even the smallest enterprises to compete and to shine,” he added.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona said in her message delivered by Davao del Norte division chief Erick Cezar Elipian said the summit is aligned with DTI MSME Development Plan 2023-2028, for every enterprise to have digital adoption to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity. 

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Business

PH e-commerce wins consumers trust but ‘friction tax holding MSMEs back, new regional study warns

by Contributor
written by Contributor

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is sitting on some of Southeast Asia’s strongest e-commerce fundamentals – high consumer trust in digital payments and a fast-maturing online shopper base – but consumer confidence is outpacing operational and regulatory friction, which is acting like a hidden tax on growth, according to a new study by Blackbox Research.

Based on in-depth interviews with 46 e-commerce leaders across the region, the report “The Next Leap for E-Commerce in Southeast Asia: Five Levers of Growth to Accelerate Regional Momentum” finds that while three in four Philippine experts rate consumer trust and digital payment maturity ahead of regional peers, last-mile delivery gaps across 7,641 islands and perceived regulatory loopholes favouring cross-border sellers are systematically disadvantaging local MSMEs.

Despite these headwinds, experts remain bullish: the Philippines posts a weighted “e-commerce optimism score” of 7.93 out of 10 over the next three years – one of the highest in the study – signalling that if logistics bottlenecks and compliance burdens can be tackled, the country is well placed to convert digital confidence into inclusive, nationwide growth.

“Filipino consumers have shown remarkable trust in the digital economy, but the systems supporting that trust have yet to reach full maturity,” said David Black, Founder and CEO of Blackbox Research. The opportunity now lies in closing those structural gaps so that MSMEs can scale alongside consumer demand.”

The five levers for growth

While the study underscores the paradox of strong consumer trust amid lagging infrastructure, its core contribution lies in identifying five critical levers that can unlock sustainable, long-term e-commerce growth. These levers form a practical roadmap for translating optimism into competitiveness.

For the Philippines, three emerge as urgent bottlenecks requiring coordinated action, while two represent existing strengths that must be leveraged to address these gaps.

  • Sustained platform investment: According to the report, the Philippines performs strongly in platform competitiveness, with 87% of experts rating the country’s platforms as effective in supporting the e-commerce ecosystem. These platforms have evolved into powerful digital ecosystem enablers that help small sellers reach customers nationwide. However, the report notes that investment currently favors marketing and customer acquisition. Experts cited in the study agree that platforms must now shift from growth-focused investment to capability-building that strengthens sellers’ operations. Future growth, the report adds, depends on redirecting resources toward seller enablement, specifically in inventory management, fulfillment technologies, and AI-driven operational tools that help MSMEs meet buyer expectations for speed and reliability.
  • Innovation for service excellence: The study finds that Filipino consumers have high expectations for faster delivery, better customer service, and reliability. Expectations that 46% of experts identify as the biggest challenge for MSMEs that lack the infrastructure to compete. While technology investment is high, The Next Leap report observes that innovation remains skewed toward marketing features rather than solving operational pain points like delivery, returns, and real-time customer support. The report concludes that the innovation agenda must evolve from “growth tech” to “trust tech”, utilizing tools that enhance efficiency, accountability, and the consumer experience. It emphasizes that innovation must increasingly focus on speed, trust, and consistency, not just visibility or conversion.
  • Stakeholder collaboration: The BlackBox study also identifies that collaboration across platforms, government, and MSMEs is recognized by 59% of experts as “non-negotiable” for sustaining growth. Despite strong intent with platforms building infrastructure, the government introducing frameworks, and MSMEs expanding online, the report finds that coordination remains fragmented. It emphasizes that institutionalized coordination between public and private sectors is crucial to scaling MSME competitiveness. The study calls for a co-investment model among platforms, governments, and MSMEs, in which platforms invest in digital infrastructure, the government simplifies compliance and ensures fair enforcement, and MSMEs commit to capability-building and professionalization.
  • Logistics modernization: The report identifies logistics modernization as the most critical enabler for scaling MSMEs, noting that it remains the Philippines’ most persistent structural challenge. Delivery costs account for 20-30% of order value—more than double those in mature markets—and fulfillment speeds vary widely from 24-48 hours in major cities to 7-14 days in rural areas. According to the report, targeted public-private investments are needed to expand last-mile networks, establish micro-fulfillment centers closer to high-demand areas, and support regional logistics hubs to lower costs and improve reliability.
  • Regulatory harmonization: Based on The Next Leap report, regulations must evolve from reactive to enabling, ensuring a level playing field where MSMEs can grow without being weighed down by complex or unevenly applied rules. Regulatory gaps are cited as the biggest barrier to equitable competition, with 87% of experts noting that uneven enforcement allows cross-border sellers to bypass compliance obligations such as taxes and product certification that local online MSMEs must follow. The report urges greater clarity, consistency, and fairness, proposing simplified documentation, pilot regulatory sandboxes to test new frameworks, and evidence-based policymaking to align regulation with actual market dynamics.

“The e-commerce story in the Philippines is about growth as much as it is about connection,” said Black. “The trust is already there. What’s needed now is the infrastructure and policy coordination that converts that trust into long-term competitiveness.”

The Philippines’ combination of high consumer trust, growth optimism, and expanding platform investments positions it as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising digital economies. But realizing that potential requires translating trust into tangible outcomes through smarter regulation, modernized logistics, and coordinated public-private investment.

Blackbox Research concludes that the next leap for Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sector will hinge on how effectively each market activates all five growth levers. For the Philippines, the task is clear: strengthen the systems that sustain consumer confidence and ensure MSMEs are not just participants but beneficiaries of the region’s digital transformation. Without decisive collaboration on logistics, regulation, and innovation, the very trust that fuels growth today could become its greatest constraint tomorrow.

To read more about the report, visit the website here.

Photo by Shoper on Unsplash

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Community

DTI helps MSMEs recover through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program

by Contributor
written by Contributor

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental – The Department of Trade and Industry Davao Oriental Provincial Office (DTI-DO) has continued to help local entrepreneurs recover from calamities.

The office, through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginahawa (PPG) program, distributed livelihood starter kits last November 5 to calamity-afflicted micro enterprises due to the shearlines in December 2024 and February 2025, as well as by the recent doublet earthquakes.

A total of 40 beneficiaries received starter kits amounting to P15,000 each. The kits varied according to the beneficiaries’ chosen livelihood, from sari-sari stores, eatery, gulayan, and fried chicken house.

The initiative aims to help affected microentrepreneurs recover and rebuild their businesses through the provision of starter kits.

“The PPG Program of DTI aims to teach the calamity-affected MSMEs to fish rather than just giving them one,” said Provincial Director Ma. Joycelyn F. Banlasan.

Meanwhile, Davao Oriental 2nd district Board Member Don Go Montojo encouraged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to be resilient,  assuring them that the government supports the business sector, especially during times of crisis and recovery.

Brgy. Sainz, City of Mati Barangay Captain Ranila Zamora expressed his support and urged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunities extended by the government fully, and hopes to see their businesses thrive again.

The beneficiaries are from the City of Mati and the municipalities of Cateel, Governor Generoso, Tarragona, Manay, San Isidro, Caraga, and Baganga.

Among the 40 MSME beneficiaries, 35 reported that they have incurred stock and building damages due to the recent doublet earthquakes with an estimated loss of Php300,000.00.

The activity also continued with a Business Continuity Planning Seminar that will help prepare the beneficiaries for future calamities and minimize potential damage to their businesses.

For more information about DTI Davao Oriental and its services, the public may visit the DTI Davao Oriental Provincial Office or contact them through their official Facebook page, DTI Davao Oriental. They can be reached, too, through telephone numbers (087) 388-3735/ (087) 811-7180, or email at r11.davaooriental@dti.gov.ph.

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Business

Maya Wins Best Digital Bank in the Philippines for the third time 

by Contributor
written by Contributor

MAYA has been named Best Digital Bank in the Philippines for the third consecutive year by The Digital Banker, most recently at its Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2025. The recognition affirms Maya’s impact in making banking simpler, more open, and more connected—linking millions of Filipinos and merchants through one integrated platform built on technology and trust.

The award highlights how Maya Bank has expanded financial access while achieving profitability in just three years.  

As of Q2 2025, Maya serves 8.2 million bank customers—more than double from a year ago—and 2.1 million borrowers, more than 50% of whom are first-time formal borrowers. It manages ₱50 billion in deposits and ₱25 billion in outstanding loans, with ₱152 billion in total loans disbursed since launch. 

“This award affirms the power of an all-in-one fintech platform to drive both inclusion and growth,” said Shailesh Baidwan, president of Maya Group and co-founder of Maya Bank. “When you bring everything together in one trusted, intelligent platform, banking becomes simpler, fairer and more human—helping people and businesses grow side by side.” 

Maya reaches a fast-growing, underserved segment—young, digital-first Filipinos and MSMEs with little or no credit history. Maya enables instant onboarding with just one ID and uses alternative data to assess creditworthiness and extend responsible credit. 

Products like the Maya Black Credit Card bridge inclusion and aspiration. Its deposit-backed Express feature gives first-time borrowers access to premium credit, while connecting merchants to a growing base of high-spending, credit-active users.  

Maya also redefined saving and spending by offering higher deposit rates to active users and by linking credit, savings, payments, and investments within one seamless platform.  

The same ecosystem serves businesses—from MSMEs using the Maya Business app to large enterprises via Maya Business Manager—creating an all-in-one network for consumers and merchants alike. 

Each transaction in this ecosystem strengthens the whole. Consumers earn rewards when they pay with Maya, merchants reach more active customers, and every purchase generates data that shapes smarter, more personalized products—deepening engagement, loyalty, and everyday use. 

Behind this innovation is Maya’s proprietary technology and AI stack, built in-house. It enables faster innovation, better risk management, and greater flexibility than legacy systems. Maya’s AI models handle credit scoring, pricing, and fraud detection—helping the company scale responsibly while keeping its non-performing loan ratio around 3.5%, below the industry average. 

“This isn’t just about technology—it’s about the millions of Filipinos who now have easier access to financial tools that used to be out of reach,” said Angelo Madrid, president of Maya Bank. “Every new account opened, every credit extended, and every transaction made represents someone gaining more control over their financial future.” 

Maya has cemented its position as the country’s undisputed best digital bank, earning top honors from multiple international institutions. It has been named Best Digital Bank in the Philippines for three consecutive years by both Hong Kong-based Asian Banking & Finance and London-based Global Finance, and was also recognized among the World’s Best Banks by Forbes Magazine. 

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Lifestyle

Franchise Negosyo’ to help advance Davao SMEs

by Ian Ray Garcia
written by Ian Ray Garcia

THE FRANCHISE Negosyo Para sa Davao Region, held last July 4 to 5, 2025, at SM Lanang, successfully connected local aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with over 40 exhibitors showcasing more than 200 trusted franchise brands in food, retail, services, and financing. 

The expo, a highlight of the Philippine Franchise Association’s 2025 regional roadshow, aims to inspire and equip attendees with innovative franchise opportunities tailored to the vibrant Davao market.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona

“This is not only timely but also strategically aligned with the direction of the Department of Trade and Industry, having identified franchising as one of the priority areas for advancing SME development nationwide,” said DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, one of the event’s speakers. 

Apart from the expo, the two-day event featured free seminars, such as “How to Invest in the Right Franchise” and “How to Franchise Your Business,” which aim to empower SMEs with knowledge, foster strategic partnerships, and provide access to diverse opportunities.

Philippine Franchise Association chairman Chris Lim

“The greatest benefit of franchising is employment. Each business owner who invests in a franchise creates an average of 10 new local jobs, generating local wealth that strengthens the local economy,” shared PFA chairman Chris Lim.

Lim added that the PFA will continue hosting similar events and collaborating with local businesses to help make the Philippine franchise sector more globally competitive, future-ready, and disruption-resilient.

SM Supermalls vice president for operations in Mindanao Oliver John Tiu

“By providing this platform for successful brands and Dabawenyo SMEs to interact, we are excited to see the event’s transformative potential to shape our fast-growing business community into a sustainable and resilient one,” said Oliver John Tiu, SM Supermalls vice president for operations in Mindanao.

Booths of participating brands during the Davao leg of the event

Other guests who attended the opening program included DTI XI regional director Romeo Castañaga, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration XI regional director Gina Mae Quimora, Oryspa chair and CEO Sherill Quintana, and Francorp Philippines’ Ruth Dichoso.

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