Building on the success of its past editions, and in light of the current state of the world, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC), organized a 5-day online experience to celebrate the National MSME Week this year.

With the theme “MSMEs’ Recovery to Resilience,” this virtual celebration featured five (5) different e-forum sessions to highlight the response of both the public and private sectors in order to minimize the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, support business operations continuity, protect workers’ rights, provide innovative market-based approaches and solutions to help recover and promote the participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in economic activities.

“The first online celebration of National MSME Week will be a week-long affair that will tackle a lot of issues, the situation, as well as policies and programs, and the way forward for the MSME sector due to unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez in opening the celebration of the National MSME Week. “But together, with all our efforts, both government and private sector, our country can heal as one.”

MSMEs, which account for 99.52% of business establishments and employ 63.19% of its workforce based on the 2018 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority, are hard-hit by the present COVID-19 pandemic and related economic downturn.

When community quarantines were imposed, around 26% of MSMEs have ceased operations, 52% went on partial operations (i.e., with reduced workforce), and only 22% remained in full operation. The disruption in supply chains and reduction in consumption due to imposed quarantine measures and decreased consumer confidence have so far caused massive shutdowns, layoffs, defaults, and insolvencies among MSMEs.

The week-long online activities of the National MSME Week, which were held on 20-24 July 2020 via Zoom and Facebook Live, discussed various interventions of both public and private sectors to explore the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs including policy measures in place to support their resilience and sustainability.

“We, at DTI, will continue to help boost the Pinoy MSMEs to thrive and expand in an increasingly global and competitive e-commerce industry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We will equip them to become competent and resilient as they embrace the opportunities and challenges the new normal brings,” said DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and MSME Advocate and Entrepreneur Madame Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña giving their message of support and inspiration for the MSMEs on the first day of week-long online celebration of the National MSME Week 2020.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and MSME Advocate and Entrepreneur Madame Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña giving their message of support and inspiration for the MSMEs on the first day of week-long online celebration of the National MSME Week 2020.

MSME Advocate and Entrepreneur Madame Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña also shared her personal experience in coping up with the effects of pandemic and inspire the MSMEs to continue to persevere.

Each online forum highlighted the five (5) strategic goal of the MSME Development Plan 2017-2022 on Business Climate, Access to Finance, Management and Labor Capacities, Technology and Innovation, and Access to Markets. These e-fora were hosted by DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) Director Jerry Clavesillas and Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera.

On Business Climate, e-Forum 1 highlighted various policy actions from government and private sector for enhancing resiliency and sustainability of MSMEs towards external shocks, such as COVID-19, in medium and long terms.

The National MSME Week E-Forum 1: Building an Enabling Business Environment for Resilient and Sustainable Enterprises on 20 July 2020, from 09:30 AM – 12:30 PM, was joined by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and moderated by Corporate and Lifestyle Events Host Ms. Issa Litton. Panelists include Senate Committee on Cooperatives Chairman Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, DTI-Assistant Secretary for Digital Philippines and MSMEDC Committee on Business Climate Chair Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship / GoNegosyo Founder Mr. Jose Ma. Concepcion III, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation President Mr. Rene “Butch” Meily, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico, The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, and SM Supermalls President Mr. Steven Tan.
The National MSME Week E-Forum 1: Building an Enabling Business Environment for Resilient and Sustainable Enterprises on 20 July 2020, from 09:30 AM – 12:30 PM, was joined by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and moderated by Corporate and Lifestyle Events Host Ms. Issa Litton. Panelists include Senate Committee on Cooperatives Chairman Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, DTI-Assistant Secretary for Digital Philippines and MSMEDC Committee on Business Climate Chair Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship / GoNegosyo Founder Mr. Jose Ma. Concepcion III, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation President Mr. Rene “Butch” Meily, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico, The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, and SM Supermalls President Mr. Steven Tan.

On Day 2, panelists discussed emerging financial platforms and related legislation for MSMEs to access finance as well as the challenges on supply chain and the application of innovation in credit assessment and risk management to facilitate more lending to Pinoy entrepreneurs.

The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 2: Inclusive Financial Innovation for Recovery and Sustaining Enterprises on 21 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, was moderated by Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.-Advocacy and Communications Department Assistant Vice President Ms. Ma. Flordeliza Leong. Panelists include Small Business Corporation-Planning and Advocacy Vice President Mr. Frank Gonzaga, Department of Finance-Strategy, Economics, and Results Group (SERG) Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino, Cebuana Lhuiller Bank President Mr. Dennis Valdes, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation & Inclusion Officer Mr. Lito Villanueva, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas- Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy Managing Director Ms. Pia Bernadette Roman-Tayag
The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 2: Inclusive Financial Innovation for Recovery and Sustaining Enterprises on 21 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, was moderated by Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.-Advocacy and Communications Department Assistant Vice President Ms. Ma. Flordeliza Leong. Panelists include Small Business Corporation-Planning and Advocacy Vice President Mr. Frank Gonzaga, Department of Finance-Strategy, Economics, and Results Group (SERG) Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino, Cebuana Lhuiller Bank President Mr. Dennis Valdes, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation & Inclusion Officer Mr. Lito Villanueva, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas- Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy Managing Director Ms. Pia Bernadette Roman-Tayag

Discussions on Day 3 focused on addressing the needs of MSMEs for continued capacity building to scale up enterprises and recover from the effects of the pandemic and future threats/disasters.

The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 3: Developing Resilient Entrepreneurs as Drivers of Innovation on 22 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, was moderated by V Cargo Worldwide President Mr. Paolo Tibig. Panelists include DTI-Regional Operations Group and MSMEDC Committee on Management and Labor Capacities Chair Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning Ms. Rosanna Urdaneta, Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera. Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) President and Tokyo Tempura Founder Mr. Jorge Noel Wieneke, Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA) President Mr. Lorenz Dela, and Foodee Global Concepts President and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Eric Thomas Dee.
The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 3: Developing Resilient Entrepreneurs as Drivers of Innovation on 22 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, was moderated by V Cargo Worldwide President Mr. Paolo Tibig. Panelists include DTI-Regional Operations Group and MSMEDC Committee on Management and Labor Capacities Chair Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning Ms. Rosanna Urdaneta, Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera. Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) President and Tokyo Tempura Founder Mr. Jorge Noel Wieneke, Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA) President Mr. Lorenz Dela, and Foodee Global Concepts President and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Eric Thomas Dee.

On Day 4, e-forum discussed various initiatives on technology and innovation that transform the way products and services are produced and delivered.

The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 4: Leveraging on Technological Innovation for Disaster-proof and Sustainable Enterprises on 23 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, was moderated by Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. Vice President and Go Negosyo Senior Adviser on Agripreneurship Ms. Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar. Panelists include DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group and MSMEDC Committee on Technology and Innovation Chair Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, QBO Innovation Hub Director Ms. Katrina Chan, LBC Express Inc. Chief Marketing Officer Mr. Javier Mantecon, Grab Philippines Spokesperson Atty. Nicka Hosaka, Bayan Academy President and Board of Trustee Prof. Francisco Bernardo III, Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director Ms. Maria Rita Matute, and Globe myBusiness ICT Business Director Ms. Grace Anduiza.
The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 4: Leveraging on Technological Innovation for Disaster-proof and Sustainable Enterprises on 23 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, was moderated by Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. Vice President and Go Negosyo Senior Adviser on Agripreneurship Ms. Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar. Panelists include DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group and MSMEDC Committee on Technology and Innovation Chair Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, QBO Innovation Hub Director Ms. Katrina Chan, LBC Express Inc. Chief Marketing Officer Mr. Javier Mantecon, Grab Philippines Spokesperson Atty. Nicka Hosaka, Bayan Academy President and Board of Trustee Prof. Francisco Bernardo III, Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director Ms. Maria Rita Matute, and Globe myBusiness ICT Business Director Ms. Grace Anduiza.

The last day of the MSME Week highlighted various strategies for current digital opportunities and hurdling challenges of MSMEs to access global markets.

The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 5: Riding the Wave of Digital Transformation for Sustainable Enterprises on 24 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, was moderated by Philippine Franchise Association President and Oryspa Spa Solutions Inc. Founder Ms. Sherill Quintana. Panelists include DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen Perlada, Lazada Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ray Alimurung, Globe Telecom e-Commerce Head Mr. Mark Joseph Panganiban, Happy Skin Co-Founder Ms. Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Chairman of Leadmore Development & IT-SPAC and 5-time best-selling author Dr. Francisco “DeanPax” Lapid, and Department of Information and Communications Technology - Management Information Systems Service Director Ms. Aida Yuvienco
The National MSME Week 2020 E-Forum 5: Riding the Wave of Digital Transformation for Sustainable Enterprises on 24 July 2020, from 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, was moderated by Philippine Franchise Association President and Oryspa Spa Solutions Inc. Founder Ms. Sherill Quintana. Panelists include DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen Perlada, Lazada Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ray Alimurung, Globe Telecom e-Commerce Head Mr. Mark Joseph Panganiban, Happy Skin Co-Founder Ms. Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Chairman of Leadmore Development & IT-SPAC and 5-time best-selling author Dr. Francisco “DeanPax” Lapid, and Department of Information and Communications Technology – Management Information Systems Service Director Ms. Aida Yuvienco

Furthermore, DTI is responding to the need for more livelihood assistance among MSMEs disrupted by the pandemic.

“Sa muling pagbangon ng ating bansa sa pandemyang ito, hinihimok natin ang bawat isa sa inyo na samantalahin ang mga programa ng DTI para sa ating mga MSMEs tungo sa mas komportableng buhay para sa inyong mga pamilya at mas maunlad na kinabukasan para sa inyong mga anak,” said Secretary Lopez.

More than 20,000 viewers online were gathered and participated in the discussions on the promotion, growth and development of MSMEs especially in these trying times.

To access the e-fora online videos, you may visit the DTI Philippines Facebook page.♦

Date of Release: 30 July 2020

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