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Confidence through connectivity: PLDT enables Parañaque MSMEs to go digital

by Contributor
written by Contributor

FOR FEL Roslin, co-owner of Felchie’s Ice Cream House in Parañaque, modernizing the business was not just about adopting new tools—it was about choosing the right partner. “I told my wife that we had to partner with a company that is accessible and dependable,” Roslin shared. “With technology now supporting marketing, accounting, and operations, it really matters who you work with.”

That perspective reflected the spirit of MSME Day in Parañaque City, which gathered local entrepreneurs—from early-stage founders to business owners ready to scale—to help bridge current business challenges with the demands of an increasingly digital marketplace.

Led by the PLDT Group’s B2B arm, PLDT Enterprise, MSME Day in Parañaque City featured a learning session on PLDT and Smart’s #BeCyberSmart module to help entrepreneurs strengthen their online safety as they grow their digital presence. Parañaque business owners also took part in discussions covering financial literacy, business messaging solutions such as the Tanay App and A2P messaging, and practical content creation strategies through a session on Reels as effective sales tools.

The event also underscored strong support from the local government led by Mayor Edwin Olivarez, alongside leaders from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Parañaque, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening the city’s MSME sector.

“Today, we are celebrating MSME Day here in Parañaque and across the entire country, honoring the entrepreneurs who serve as the true heart and engine of our local economy,” said Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“We all know that running a business is no small feat. It takes sacrifice and risk. We faced years of uncertainty during the pandemic, but we overcame it. We remain committed to supporting the entrepreneurs who serve as the heart of our economy.”

Building on this shared commitment to supporting local enterprises, John Eric “Chet” Alviz, PLDT Enterprise Vice President and Head of SME Growth Marketing, Digital and Trade, emphasized the role of technology in enabling growth. “Digital tools are no longer optional,” Alviz noted. “Today, they are the essential gear every small business needs to stay in the game and protect their livelihood.”

Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart, highlighted the role of collaboration with local government units. “Working closely with LGUs like Parañaque is critical. We meet owners where they are— whether they’re building their online presence or strengthening their cybersecurity—to help ensure that learning translates into real business growth.”

“This event really helped me appreciate why consistency in planning and creating Reels matters so much—it’s about taking full advantage of being visible on social media,” said workshop participant Catherine Joy Cardano, CEO and co-founder of AirLiving Plus Real Estate Management Service. “This Parañaque MSME Day is the very first event of its kind I’ve attended, and I was excited to learn how to navigate social media marketing while protecting my business online. Partnering with the companies here is exactly what we need to help our business flourish.”

This initiative underscores PLDT and Smart’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Anchored in strong public-private collaboration, PLDT and Smart continue working with partners to help ensure that digital tools translate into real opportunities for local entrepreneurs. 

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Business

DTI, 2GO travel partner to sail OTOP products across Philippine seas

by Contributor
written by Contributor

(From left) Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group of the Department of        Trade and Industry; Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group; Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel; and George Clayton Narag, Head of Product Development of 2GO Travel.

MAKATI CITY, Philippines — 2GO, the country’s premier sea travel operator, formalized a partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to further support the growth of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by expanding their reach to wider markets through affordable sea travel for trade and the establishment of OTOP Nooks aboard 2GO Travel passenger vessels.

The agreement enables the availability of special discounted sea travel rates for DTI-endorsed MSMEs participating in official trade fairs. With up to 50 kilograms of baggage allowance, entrepreneurs can conveniently transport a variety of products across routes. Complementing these travel benefits is the rollout of OTOP Nooks across all 2GO Travel passenger ships, providing onboard retail spaces dedicated to showcasing and selling products from partner micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the OTOP Philippines Program. The initiative creates new retail touchpoints for Filipino-made products while giving travelers access to locally crafted goods during their journeys.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for MSMEs, noting that “this initiative strengthens the presence of proudly Filipino products beyond their home regions and enables MSMEs to reach more consumers nationwide, with sea travel supporting their growth and mobility.”

2GO will offer special discounted rates for DTI-endorsed MSMEs joining official trade fairs, along with exclusive travel and cargo support to streamline their participation.

Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel, shared that “this collaboration allows both established and aspiring MSMEs to tap into our sea travel network, and we hope that they take advantage of their 50kg baggage allowance that comes with every 2GO Travel ticket. This actually means that starting and growing your own business has never been easier. Now, you can carry the trade you want to sell with you, bring your products directly to passengers across key routes, and strengthen your visibility while maximizing our onboard retail platform.”

The first OTOP partnership between DTI Region XII and 2GO Travel was launched onboard MV 2GO Masinag. With the signing of this nationwide MOA, the initiative now expands to cover all 2GO Travel passenger vessels, further connecting local entrepreneurs to a broader customer base.

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Business

Jobstreet by SEEK: Hiring mistakes can be costly for MSMEs

by Contributor
written by Contributor

EMPLOYEES are the backbone of every organization, especially for Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Essentially, hiring talent is a make-or-break step for businesses, and a single hiring mistake can cost an average of Php 740,000, which can have significant and costly consequences for MSMEs that rely heavily on limited resources.

As part of its advocacy to empower MSMEs, Jobstreet by SEEK, a leading online job portal, equips hirers from small businesses to leverage available tools and its pool of talent that best matches their needs.

In a recent joint study by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), hiring remains largely informal among Philippine MSMEs. They rely on low-cost, informal channels to recruit new employees – primarily walk-in applicants, social media, and referrals. By contrast, formal recruitment avenues are used far less often: hiring through employment programs, online job portals, school/university partnerships, and local agencies or print advertisements.

Apart from candidate mismatches and talent limitations, what hirers often overlook with informal hiring is fraudulent applications – fake degrees, experience, credentials, and so on. It is projected that by 2028, one out of four applications could be fake.

“Fraudulent hires have always been a challenge to many companies ever since, and it hurts businesses, especially MSMEs that operate on limited resources. We encourage hirers to leverage professional employment channels, free and easy-to-use job platforms with wider talent pools to minimize the risks of hiring mismatched candidates, or worse, fraudulent applicants,” shared Dannah Majarocon, managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK.

Building winning teams from the ground up

Jobstreet by SEEK has been assisting businesses, including MSMEs, in navigating the ever-evolving job market. 

Empowering businesses that have started from the ground up, the platform rolled out its SMEasy sa Jobstreet campaign, providing avenues for MSMEs to learn actionable insights and practical strategies apart from its user-friendly tools that make hiring much more convenient. 

SMEasy Sa Jobstreet also features real stories from Filipino entrepreneurs who have strengthened their teams through smarter hiring. Featured business owners include Jas Marfil of Crusted Pizza; Eduard Lumbre of SmarTrade; Edgardo and Edgar Jireh Cerezo of Bona Vita Philippines; Jethro Cerezo of Jethro Cerezo Executive Team; Terrie Cerezo of Nanay Asa Restaurant; and Kay and Carl of 1919 Chocolate.

As hands-on entrepreneurs, they all share how using the Jobstreet by SEEK platform helped them screen and connect with candidates who not only had the right qualifications but also aligned with their company’s culture and long-term vision, helping them build stronger teams and support sustainable business growth.“Getting the right people is crucial because they are the make-or-break of the business. Jobstreet by SEEK is a big help for us as an organization since mabilis lang makahanap ng quality or right people from the platform, and that makes us become a better business,” said Jethro Cerezo, CEO & founder of Jethro Cerezo Executive Team.

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Business

Shopee enables faster, more accessible e-commerce nationwide, benefiting communities across Visayas and Mindanao

by Contributor
written by Contributor

IN THE Philippines, geography has long shaped how e-commerce works. Distance adds cost, islands add time, and access has often depended on where sellers and buyers are located. As Shopee Philippines, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Brazil, marks more than a decade in the country, it continues to strengthen its capabilities in Visayas and Mindanao as part of its long-term commitment to improving access nationwide.

Over the years, e-commerce has become an essential channel for Filipino consumers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Yet outside major urban centers, moving goods across islands has remained a practical constraint, affecting how quickly sellers can reach customers and how easily buyers can access products available elsewhere in the country.

Impact of strengthening access in VisMin

For many buyers in Visayas and Mindanao, what’s available to them is becoming less defined by where sellers are located.

In an archipelagic country like the Philippines, Shopee supports this shift by enabling sellers to position products closer to buyers through platform-supported solutions, helping make access less dependent on distance and geography.

Through Fulfilled by Shopee (FBS), sellers have the option to store inventory in Shopee-supported facilities, with packing and shipping handled by an ecosystem of third-party logistics partners through the platform. By easing fulfillment complexity, FBS helps sellers focus on growing their businesses, from improving products and pricing competitively to serving customers more consistently, while helping make access more reliable for buyers in Visayas and Mindanao.

For buyers, this means more consistent availability of everyday items and reduced reliance on long cross-island routes. As a result, average delivery times for many VisMin orders have been reduced from around seven days to about three to four days, supporting more predictable delivery timelines and costs for both sellers and buyers

“Making e-commerce work for the whole country means continuing to build capabilities that serve both buyers and sellers wherever they live,” said Vincent Lee, head of Shopee Philippines. “Our focus in Visayas and Mindanao builds on years of work to make buying and selling online easier and more reliable, while improving access for communities outside major urban centers.

Supporting MSMEs and local participation

Shopee’s work in Visayas and Mindanao also builds on its broader support for the Filipino MSMEs. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino sellers have spent more than 110,000 hours on Shopee University courses, equivalent to more than 12 straight years of learning, as entrepreneurs build practical skills in pricing, marketing, customer service, and day-to-day business operations.

Alongside these efforts, Shopee expects its VisMin operations to support around 1,500 employment opportunities by 2026, across platform operations and seller enablement roles that support participation and growth within the e-commerce ecosystem.

As Shopee enters its next decade in the Philippines, the focus remains on the long-term work of building services and solutions that expand access, support livelihoods, and help e-commerce grow more evenly across the country.

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Business

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

3 Filipino MSME owners share how to enter your easy era of business

by Contributor
written by Contributor

MANILA, Philippines – Many of today’s MSMEs are born from a passion: a recipe that’s been passed down for generations, a love of coffee and pastries, or a vision to showcase local fashion and design to the global stage. But turning that passion into a sustainable business is another thing on its own. Day-to-day challenges like managing orders and keeping payments on track can be overwhelming.

As businesses grow, so does the need for better tools. While there’s no shortage of tech in the market, many MSMEs often steer away due to cost and complexity. However, when presented with the opportunity to use solutions from GCash for Business, more business owners are discovering the advantages of adopting new tech innovations — especially when it comes to payments.

One innovation is GCash SoundPay. This device provides instant voice confirmation for every successful QR payment made. It’s easy to carry, affordable, and simple to use – requiring only a fully verified GCash account of at least 12 months to get started.

For Nikko Mendoza of Smthn Smthn Cafe in Davao, Michael Chan of Mom Rose Chicken Lechon in Bacolod, and Emgee Po of Get Spotted in Bacolod, embracing digital tools has helped them grow their brands while allowing them to enter a new era of ease. 

Here’s what they’ve learned:

1. Faster checkouts make everyday transactions feel hassle-free – Michael Chan, Mom Rose Chicken Lechon

Mom Rose Chicken Lechon was born from both necessity and memory. When the pandemic shut down their carinderia in 2021, the Chan family shifted to making their signature Spicy Chicken Lechon, a dish inspired by their late mother, Rosemarie. 

To this day, the business honors her wish for “a happy family,” and GCash SoundPay helps them keep that promise by ensuring this joy extends to their customers by making everyday payments stress-free.

“Most of our customers prefer GCash now. With GCash SoundPay, payments are faster and more reliable, so we can focus on serving food that makes people happy,” Michael shares.

In store, each team member carries their own GCash SoundPay device, worn with a lanyard and ready to use. This allows them to accept and confirm payments anytime, anywhere. No need for long waiting lines and just one payment acceptance device at the counter. Because of the real-time audio alerts, transactions move quicker, and the team can focus fully on serving their customers more efficiently.

2. Tech is a driver of growth. – Emgee Po, EMGEE by Get Spotted 

A thesis project in 2011, EMGEE by Get Spotted is a local fashion brand from Bacolod that is now making waves internationally. Its founder, Emgee Po, partners with Negros weavers and Angono seamstresses to create one-off designs that are proudly Filipino. From a mall location in Ayala Malls Capitol Central to pop-ups in Paris and soon New York, EMGEE continues to expand its reach.

GCash played a role in how Emgee connected with customers. She first used her personal GCash account for payments, where cashless transactions made it easier to keep up with multiple customers paying at the same time.

“Most [of] our sales for the shop would be [through] credit cards and GCash. It’s very easy and it’s very convenient [to go cashless],” Emgee shares. But as the business grew, the confusion of mixing personal and business transactions and manually checking her phones to confirm payments started becoming a challenge.

That’s why she moved to GCash for Business. With GCash for Business, she now has everything to confidently grow her business such as an easy-to-use business wallet, no limits, no transaction fees. Now, there’s no more mixing personal and business payments.

3. Businesses benefit from an easy-to-use platform  – Nikko Mendoza, Smthn Smthn Cafe

What started as seasonal pastries grew into a full-fledged garden café in 2024. Since day one, Smthn Smthn Cafe in Davao has accepted GCash payments to serve its customers better. But as the café expanded, owner Nikko Mendoza realized he needed more than just a way to receive payments. 

With the new GCash for Business Portal, businesses get access to an easy-to-use platform to track and manage all online transactions in one place. It includes a simple, , easy-to-use payments tracker and management system, no wallet limit when receiving cashless payments from customers, and no transaction fees when paying suppliers through GCash. Additionally, the portal allows merchants to pay their suppliers directly through bank transfer or even to their GCash accounts with no fees, reducing the need to use multiple platforms and pay multiple fees.

For Nikko and his team, utilizing a system like the GCash for Business Portal means more time to focus on running the café, and less time worrying about payment limits, fees, or keeping track of scattered transactions.

Tech Made for Business’ Easy Era

From Manila to Bacolod to Davao, these small business owners show how digital solutions are helping them experience ease everyday in their operations. With GCash SoundPay and an upcoming new device that enables merchants to accept credit card payments through their phone, GCash for Business continues to provide MSMEs a selection of tools tailored to their specific needs per industry. 

Utilizing these solutions also comes with a dedicated business account in the new GCash for Business Portal, providing a dedicated dashboard where business owners can order devices and manage their business transactions in a simple, easy-to-use business portal with no limits and no fees.

Learn more about how GCash for Business can empower your business and sign up today with just a GCash verified account of at least 12 months.

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BusinessFeatured

2GO Travel Onboards DTI’s OTOP Program to Champion Local Products Across PH Seas

by Contributor
written by Contributor

Manila – 2GO, the Philippines’ premier sea travel provider, has formalized a partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to promote locally made products under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program through its Biyahe2Business campaign.

The partnership aims to boost market visibility for regional micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by featuring their OTOP products in dedicated kiosks onboard 2GO Travel vessels. This initiative transforms every voyage into a showcase of regional flavors, craftsmanship, and Filipino pride.

The collaboration officially launches with OTOP products from Region 12 as the first to be featured under the Biyahe2Business program. A special OTOP nook will be installed onboard MV 2GO Masinag, highlighting accredited products in partnership with the local DTI office. More OTOP displays from other regions will soon be available on additional 2GO vessels.

This initiative supports DTI’s Supply Chain and Logistics Center (SCLC), a platform that provides real-time logistics information, market linkages, and capacity-building programs for MSMEs.

“This collaboration allows DTI regional offices to bring and promote their products across islands through creative and practical logistics solutions,” said DTI-12 Regional Director and DTI-RAPID Growth Project National Director Flora D. Politud-Gabunales, CESO V. “Through this, 2GO has opened new opportunities for MSMEs to reach more customers and for travelers to discover authentic Filipino flavors and craftsmanship from across the country.”

The partnership aligns with 2GO Travel’s ongoing commitment to empower small businesses by improving access to transport and logistics solutions through the 2GO Travel’s Biyahe2Business platform. With this program, 2GO bridges the gap between local entrepreneurs and wider markets, ensuring that Filipino-made products can travel as far and as proudly as the people who create them.

“This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to help small businesses thrive by providing flexible, affordable, and reliable transport solutions,” said Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head for 2GO Travel. “With our generous 50KG luggage allowance, SMEs can move their products and supplies more freely across islands. This advantage supports their growth and reach. At 2GO, we believe sea travel is not only about connecting destinations, but also about connecting communities, celebrating culture, and enabling commerce. Through this initiative, we bring the best of every region to more Filipinos.”

(L–R) 2GO Travel Head of Product Development George Clayton P. Narag; PhilExport Region 12 Chapter President Cecilia Loquias; PhilExport Head Office Vice President for Promotions Leonor Abella; Head of DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona; 2GO Travel Business Unit Head Francis John Chua; DTI Region 12 Regional Director Flora D. Politud-Gabunales, CESO V; and 2GO Travel AVP for F&B, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations Roland Sunga.

Beyond showcasing local products, 2GO Travel, as DTI’s official travel and logistics partner, will offer group tour packages and exclusive MSME travel discounts. These programs will provide cost-effective and dependable mobility solutions for entrepreneurs. With direct routes from Manila to major trade hubs such as Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and its newest destinations Davao and General Santos City, 2GO continues to strengthen national connectivity for trade and enterprise.

As part of the agreement, 2GO will also provide consultancy and logistics advisory services tailored to MSME needs and support Logistics Support Desks at select Negosyo Centers in key regions.

For inquiries on MSME-exclusive logistics and travel offers, contact tours_groups@2go.com.ph.

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DTI on Wheels brings essential services to Tubaon, Tarragona

by Contributor
written by Contributor

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental –  In remote communities where long travel times, costly transportation, and unreliable internet access make it difficult to avail of government services, local business owners are often left with limited support.

To bridge this gap, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao Oriental Provincial Office has launched its mobile outreach activity “DTI on Wheels: Ramdam sa Komunidad” aimed at delivering vital services directly to underserved areas.

In celebration of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Week, the program rolled out its first leg in Barangay Tubaon, Tarragona on July 9, bringing services closer to residents who previously had limited access. These included business name registration, linkage to financing institutions, business counseling, and consumer education closer to the people.

“This activity is designed to really bring the services to barangays that require a lot of effort, especially with higher travel costs,” said DTI Davao Oriental acting division chief for business development and promotions Domingo S. Cruz, Jr. “As a government agency, we are committed to making our services “ramdam” by the people. Today, we can help you register your business names, facilitate loan applications, and empower you as consumers”.

The activity was made possible through the support of the local government unit of Tarragona and the barangay officials of Tubaon.

Aligned with this year’s MSME Week theme, “Asenso Negosyo, Angat Kabuhayan, Bagong Pilipinas!”, the outreach successfully processed 70 business name registrations. The participants were also treated to free sikwate as “Pa-sikwate para sa MSME ug Konsyumante” in a nod to World Chocolate Day, highlighting the region’s local cacao products, particularly San Isidro’s tablea.

By working closely with local government units, DTI aims to expand the reach of this program to more communities across Davao Oriental, ensuring that government support is not only available but also accessible and truly felt at the grassroots level.

In line with strengthening the cacao industry, the Cacao Industry Association of Davao Oriental was recently organized to address the needs of the local cacao farmers. With the support of the RAPID Growth project, cacao rehabilitation and rejuvenation tools have already been distributed to 159 households and to three farmer organizations to boost productivity and promote the chocolate production in the province.

To date, 2,223 MSMEs in Davao Oriental have been assisted through various DTI programs such as the Negosyo Center, One Town, One Product (OTOP), Shared Service Facility (SSF), Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), and Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project. The province has already conducted 122 trainings, supported 330 MSMEs in e-commerce, and onboarded 7 mentees in the Kapatid Mentor ME Program.

For more information about DTI Davao Oriental and its services, you may visit the DTI Davao Oriental Provincial Office or contact us through our Facebook page, telephone numbers: (087) 388-3735/ (087) 811-7180, or email: r11.davaooriental@dti.gov.ph.DTI11

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