FAST Logistics Group and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Misamis Oriental strengthened their partnership to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with stronger logistics support, end-to-end trade fair logistics, and forward stocking solutions.
FAST CEO for Logistics Manuel L. Onrejas Jr. and DTI X provincial director Jesusa M. Abear signed the agreement on Saturday, May 23, the final day of IFEX Philippines 2026 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.
The partnership builds on the roundtable discussion with Misamis Oriental MSMEs, hosted by FAST and DTI in January, which brought together entrepreneurs from the province to discuss how logistics and supply chain support can accelerate trade and economic development.
Through the partnership, MSMEs can access wider domestic markets through strategic logistics support while leveraging the complementary strengths of the public and private sectors.
“At DTI Misamis Oriental, strengthening collaboration with the private sector is one of our key strategies to create more growth opportunities for businesses in Cagayan de Oro and across the province. We remain committed to supporting MSMEs in line with the government’s vision of empowering the backbone of the Philippine economy,” said Abear.
Under the agreement, FAST will provide end-to-end trade fair logistics support for Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro MSMEs participating in trade exhibitions, product showcases, and market promotion activities nationwide.
The support includes transportation of products and exhibit materials, warehousing or temporary storage, on-site delivery, and reverse logistics for exhibit materials.
FAST will also extend special logistics rates for DTI Misamis Oriental-supported trade activities to help MSMEs lower operational costs, improve distribution efficiency, and participate more actively in national market opportunities.
A key feature of the partnership is the implementation of a forward stocking solution designed to help MSMEs improve fulfillment speed, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen supply chain resiliency.
Through this initiative, MSME products may be pre-positioned at FAST warehouse facilities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, depending on operational requirements. Forward stock solution allows faster order fulfillment, shipment consolidation, and improved inventory readiness.
The strategy also helps businesses reduce delivery lead times and improve supply reliability for institutional buyers, retailers, and distributors.
The solution will be available to Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental MSMEs year-round and will be especially critical during supply chain disruptions caused by typhoons and other calamities.
FAST will support the establishment and operation of forward stock facilities dedicated to qualified MSMEs endorsed by DTI Misamis Oriental, which will also help strengthen local aggregation and product readiness initiatives.
During the MOA signing, Onrejas highlighted the strategic importance of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro to FAST because it serves as a gateway to Northern Mindanao.
FAST saw the need to support Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro MSMEs with stronger logistics solutions during its Roundtable Discussion, as the event highlighted the need for reliable transport support to help MSMEs move products faster, lower logistics costs, and reach more markets.
“Recognizing the province’s contribution to the regional economy, we continue to strengthen our presence and logistics capabilities in the area to serve businesses of all sizes, including MSMEs, in Cagayan de Oro and nearby provinces,” he said.
FAST currently operates four hubs in Misamis Oriental — Bulua, Tagoloan, Casinglot, and Opol — supporting distribution not only within nearby municipalities but also across Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and neighboring Agusan provinces.
“Through our partnership with DTI Misamis Oriental, we aim to further support trade facilitation and economic development in Northern Mindanao,” Onrejas added.
Because many Mindanao businesses rely heavily on inland freight and trucking solutions, FAST continues to strengthen its transport network in the region.
For MSMEs looking to expand beyond Mindanao, FAST can also support multi-modal transport through land freight, sea freight, and air freight solutions.
FAST is also deploying its “mosquito fleet” or small trucks in Mindanao to support last-leg delivery and further strengthen door-to-door delivery solutions for businesses in the region.
Beyond logistics services, FAST and DTI Misamis Oriental will also collaborate on capacity-building initiatives focused on logistics readiness, packaging and labeling, cost optimization, trade fair preparation, and resiliency strategies for inter-island trade.
