DTI Secretary Pascual leads distribution of PHP 7.3 million worth of financial assistance to MSMEs at BPSF launch | Department of Trade and Industry Philippines

CAMARINES, SUR – During the launch of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) on 23 September 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual led the ceremonial distribution of the financial assistance, amounting to PHP 7.3 million to qualified micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) held at Camarines Sur Polytechnic College.

The DTI Chief emphasized that these loan grants and training programs are part of the DTI’s commitment to assist local enterprises in achieving sustainable growth and development. Secretary Pascual said, “The DTI supports the administration’s Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair which aims to consolidate the government’s programs and services in one venue to ensure its accessibility for Filipinos. For the part of the DTI, we are here to provide assistance and training programs to our businesses, encouraging them to expand their market and be digitally-ready.”

The DTI spearheaded several programs during the launch including (1) Negosyo Center training activities; (2) Negosyo Center Business Counseling; (3) Livelihood Seeding Program – Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (LSP-PPG); (4) RISE Up; (5) Business Name Registration System (BNRS) and (6) Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Application.

During the BPSF, DTI Bicol, through its Camarines Sur provincial office, distributed fifty (50) livelihood starter kits to fifty (50) MSMEs. Each MSME received PHP 9,882 worth of kits. Significantly, the DTI also granted a total amount of PHP 6.8 million in loans to twelve (12) MSMEs through SB Corp’s RISE Up loan program.

Meanwhile, training seminars and counseling were provided to more than 1,000 participants and assisted hundreds of walk-in applicants for BNRS and BMBE applications. Further, the fair also featured the government’s flagship programs, specifically the Diskwento Caravan and the Kadiwa ng Pangulo.

DTI Camarines Sur reported that twelve (12) One Town, One Product (OTOP) MSMEs and six (6) suppliers of schools and grocery items participated in both the caravan and the Kadiwa. The combined sales of these participating MSMEs and businesses reached over PHP 141,000 just on its first day.

The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair is the country’s biggest service caravan aimed at providing various government services to underprivileged Filipinos across the country. This two-day caravan is participated by more than 40 government agencies that aim to deliver social services, livelihood and educational services, regulatory functions, and other government-related services to Filipinos.

“The BPSF is a testament to the administration’s vision to ensure that government programs reach all Filipinos in various parts of the country. As DTI Secretary, my department will remain committed to our promise of providing Serbisyong Higit Pa Sa Inaasahan to both consumers and businesses,” Secretary Pascual said. ♦

Date of release: 25 September 2023