The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) MIMAROPA has successfully digitalized over 4,700 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the MIMAROPA.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency on Tuesday, March 11, the DTI MIMAROPA disclosed that 4,760 MSMEs are now leveraging digital platforms in the entire region.
As part of its ongoing initiative to modernize local businesses and bring them into the digital age, the DTI has been rolling out a series of comprehensive digital training programs aimed at equipping MSMEs with the skills and tools necessary to thrive in the online marketplace since 2022.
DTI Marinduque Provincial Director Roniel M. Macatol highlighted the agency’s efforts, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), to support the MSMEs through a series of training programs in provincial offices.
“Sa pakikipagtulungan po sa DICT, ang mga trainings po ay iniaalok sa ating mga MSMEs na nagbibigay ng mga kasanayan sa, for example po, ay digital photography at digital marketing upang matulungan ang mga negosyo na ma i-promote ang kanilang mga produkto thru the digital world or sa madaling salita ay online,” Macatol said.
He added that the DTI is offering targeted workshops on digital marketing, e-commerce and the use of social media platforms, while also helping businesses set up their own websites to reach a broader audience.
“Marami pong trainings na tinatarget ang DTI to help them promote their products and i-publish sa mga existing marketing platforms hanggang makagawa sila ng sarili nilang websites. Layunin po natin na matulungan ang ating mga MSMEs na mag-transition mula sa tradisyonal na pamamaraan ng pagbebenta patungo sa mas malawak na digital na merkado, upang mas mapalawak ang kanilang reach at mapataas ang kanilang benta, hindi lamang dito sa lokal na pamilihan sa rehiyon kundi sa buong bansa po,” he said.
Macatol stressed that this initiative is designed to empower local entrepreneurs, especially those in underserved and rural areas, ensuring they can remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy.
“Nais po kasi nating bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga lokal na negosyante, lalo na ang mga nasa lugar na hindi gaanong naaabot at doon [sa] mga malalayong komunidad upang matiyak na sila ay mananatiling ano…competitive baga sa patuloy na umuunlad na digital economy,” he said.
The DTI’s digitalization efforts come as part of the government’s broader strategy to bolster the Philippine economy by empowering MSMEs, which are crucial drivers of local economic development. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
