DTI Assistance and Other Government Initiatives for MSMEs

 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to work to assure the people with enough food and medicines at the right prices as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about how the DTI is helping the nation to heal as one through this link.

Strategic Goal 1: Enabling Business Environment

1. DTI Memorandum Circular 20-44: Prescribing the Recategorization of Some Business Activities from Category IV to III, Additional Services Allowed for Barbershops and Salons, Adjustment of Operating Hours, and Amendment of the IATF Negative List

Recategorization of Some Business Establishments or Activities under Category IV to Category III

The following business establishments or activities are recategorized from Category IV to Category III, and thus, are allowed to reopen beginning 01 August 2020 at thirty (30%) percent operation capacity, subject to the mandatory minimum health standards protocols provided under Annex “B” and respective protocols per business establishment and activities

  1. testing, tutorial (Annex “C”), and review centers (Annex “D”);
  2. gyms, fitness centers, and sports facilities but limited to individual workouts only.
    Group workout sessions composed of two (2) or more persons (e.g. zumba, yoga, pilates, etc.) shall be strictly prohibited; (Annex “E”)
  3. internet cafes; (Annex “F”)
  4. dermatological clinics offering aesthetic procedures; (Annex “G”)
  5. other personal care services (except full-body massage services); (Annex “G”)
  6. pet grooming services; and
  7. drive-in cinemas. (Annex “H”)

Additional Services Allowed for Barbershop and Salons

Beginning on 01 August 2020, barbershops and salons in areas declared under GCQ are allowed to offer all hair, nail, and skin care services, except full body massage, subject to the same operational capacity as provided under MC No. 20-38, Series of 2020, and subject to further strict protocol on hand sanitation, face mask and face shields, gloves, and sterilized equipment.

According to IATF as of 19 August, dine-in restaurants, salons and barbershops and all their services, except full body massages, are allowed. The local government unit (LGU) where the establishments are located would determine the capacity.

Adjustment of Operating Hours

All food and retail businesses shall be allowed maximum operating hours of up to 11:00 p.m., and food delivery services of up to 1 a.m. Thus, local government units (LGUs) are enjoined to adjust curfew hours accordingly to enhance income opportunities for workers and business owners.

Amendment of Negative List of Industries

The following business establishments or activities shall not be allowed to operate under any form of community quarantine:

  1. Holding of traditional cockfighting & operation of cockpits;
  2. Beerhouses & similar establishments whose primary business is serving of alcoholic drinks (e.g. Nightclubs);
  3. Kid amusement industries (e.g., playrooms, rides).

Contact Tracing

Business establishments shall register with any IATF-endorsed contact tracing application such as SafePass or StaySafePh or administer contact tracing forms (Annex “I”) to customers, visitors, and suppliers entering their premises and health declaration forms (Annex “J”) to employees.

They shall also cooperate in contact tracing efforts of the DOH or the Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit/local health authority in case a confirmed COVID-19 case or a close contact thereof has visited the business establishment and report or notify public health authorities of workers who show signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

2. DTI Memorandum Circular 20-24: Guidelines on the Extension of the Filing, and Validity, and the Suspension of Penalties and Fees, of Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Certificates of Authority Expiring During the Community Quarantine

Extension of Validity of Certificates and Suspension of Penalties and Fees

BMBE Certificates expiring during the period of community quarantine are hereby extended for sixty (60) working days from the lifting of community quarantine. No penalties and fees will be imposed for the late renewal of the subject BMBE certificates. 

3. DTI Memorandum Circular 20-17: Extension of the Validity of the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licenses due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine over Luzon

The validity of all PS licenses issued to manufacturers that have expired or will expire by 31 May 2020 shall be extended until 31 July 2020, subject to the license holder’s submission of application for re-certification/renewal of the license.

The applications for re-certification shall be submitted through the BPS’ online certification system, the Product Certification Information Management System (PCIMS), accessible at www.qualityproducts.dti.gov.ph.

All covered companies with expired PS licenses but have not submitted application for re-certification is not entitled to the extension provided and shall be dealt with accordingly subject to the existing DTI policies, rules and regulations.

4. DTI Memorandum Circular 20-12: Guidelines on the Concessions on Residential Rents; Commercial Rents of MSMEs

A minimum of thirty (30)-days grace period shall be granted on residential and commercial rents falling due within the period of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), without incurring interests, penalties, fees, and other charges. The minimum 30-day period is determined to be 30 calendar days following the last due date of the rent which fell due within the ECQ.  Cumulative amount of rents falling due within the ECQ, shall be equally amortized in the six (6) months following the end of the ECQ, and shall be added to the rents due on those succeeding months, without interest, penalties, fees, and charges.

5. DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-30: Guidelines on Refund of Payments Made for Events Affected by the State of Public Health Emergency (Complementary to Memorandum Circular No. 20-12: Grace Period on Rent)

Scope

The provisions shall cover all persons, natural, or juridical, whose transactions or commitments related to holdings of events, personal or business/work-related, where full or partial pre-payments have been made, which event or functions may have been scaled-down or cancelled in view of the ongoing public health emergency and the resultant social distancing directives for the imposed Community Quarantine, whether ECQ, MECQ, or GCQ.

Refund Concession

In the interest of fairness, payments received either as down payment and/or deposit for any personal or business/work-related event or function, the date of which falls during a declared community quarantine where restrictions, particularly social distancing directives are imposed, but which events or functions have to be cancelled or scaled-down as a result thereof, shall, upon request and notice, be refunded fully or partially.

Fortuitous Event or Force Majeure

The terms and conditions on force majeure stated in a valid contract between the parties shall be recognized. In the absence thereof, the relevant provisions of the New Civil Code of the Philippines may serve as guide.

Charges and Sanctions

Relevant provisions of existing laws such as RA 7394, known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the New Civil Code of the Philippines, RA 11469, regulations, policies and ordinances, whichever is applicable, may be used as basis for filing charges for violation thereof.

6. DTI Memorandum Circular 20-39: Increasing the Operating Capacity of Dine-in Food Establishments, Amending for the Purpose DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-37, Series of 2020

Scope

This MC shall apply to all restaurants and fastfood businesses, regardless of the size of the establishment, including canteens, food courts, food parks and other eateries providing dine-in services. 

Operating Capacity

Beginning 21 July 2020, the operating capacity of all restaurants and fastfood businesses shall be:

  1. For areas under GCQ, at a maximum of 50% of their dine-in services, subject to strict compliance with social distancing protocols; and
  2. For areas under MGCQ, at a maximum of 75% of their dine-in services subject to strict compliance with social distancing protocols

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Operation of Dine-in Services

DOH Administrative Order 2020-0015: Guidelines on the Risk-based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation

DTI-DOLE Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

DTI and DOLE Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

7. Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-02: Guidelines on the Operations and Incentives of Covered Enterprises Engaged in the Manufacture, Importation, and Distribution of Certain Products, and for Other Purposes, Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469, Otherwise Known as “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”

This memorandum circular provides guidelines to liberalize the grant of incentives for the manufacture or importation of critical or needed equipment or supplies and ensure availability of essential goods.

8. Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 57-2020: Streamlining of Business Registration Requirements and Revised Checklist of Documentary Requirements

The requirements for registering a new business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have been streamlined by removing the Mayor’s Permit as one of the mandatory requirements when the BIR Citizen’s Charter 2019 was published on BIR website.

9. Revenue Regulations No. 11-2020: Amends Section 2 of Revenue No. 10-2020 relative to the extension of statutory deadlines and timelines for the filing and submission of any document and the payment of taxes pursuant to Section 4 (z) of RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) extends the deadline of filing and payment of 2019 Annual Income Tax Return to 30 May 2020, availing of Tax Amnesty Return on Delinquencies pursuant to RA 11213 or the Tax Amnesty Act to 08 June 2020, among others without the imposition of penalties to taxpayers.

BIR Customer Assistance Division Telephone Numbers:  
(02) 8981-7030 / 8981-7003 / 8981-7040 / 8981-7020 / 8981-7046 /
8981-7419 / 8981-7452 / 8981-7478 / 8981-7479
E-mail: contact_us@bir.gov.ph

Strategic Goal 2: Improving Access to Finance

10. COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) 2 Program

The SB Corporation has reopened its CARES Program online Borrower Registration System (BRS) on 17 August 2020.  Online loan applications received prior to this date are already on the final stages of processing, maintaining a queuing of first come first serve basis. Tagged as CARES 2 to distinguish it from the initial run of the Program, this upcoming CARES window will require all applicants to apply through SB Corp’s online BRS found in this link https://brs.sbgfc.org.ph. Manual applications will no longer be accepted.

The loan feature of CARES 2 is the same as CARES 1 including loan limit, zero interest rate, service fee, grace period and repayment term. Micro enterprises with asset size of not more than PhP3.0 million may borrow PhP10,000 up to PhP200,000 while Small enterprises with asset size of not more than PhP10 million may borrow a higher loan amount but will not exceed PhP500,000.  

Loan Moratorium

In addition to the setting up of the Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing facility under the P3 (named as CARES Program), the SB Corporation is offering a one-month moratorium on loan payments covering the period of 16 March to 14 April 2020 to its MSME borrowers and partner financial institutions (PFIs) under its Regular and P3 loan programs.

For the conditions, see Section 7.7 on page 16 of the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020: Special Guidelines on the Provision of Social Amelioration Measures by the DSWD, DOLE, DTI, DA, DOF, DBM, and DILG to the Most Affected Residents of the Areas Under Enhanced Community Quarantine.

P3 hotline: 1-800-10-6513333
E-mail: p3@sbgfc.org.org.ph / sbcorporation@sbgfc.org.ph

11. Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB)

The allotted funding for the LSP-NSB amounts to PhP203 million, which will be used to provide a package of livelihood kits and business advisory assistance and services, amounting to at least PhP5,000 up to PhP8,000 to MSMEs affected by natural and human-induced calamities including health disasters.

To make the program more responsive to the COVID-19 situation, LSP-NSB also covers MSMEs affected by health disasters arising from epidemics and pandemics.

Among the proposed Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay activities, which will be carried out once the ECQ is lifted include:

  1. Advocacy briefing session on MSME programs and services during the program launch or as may be arranged by the barangay;
  2. Facilitation of applications for putting up a business (Business Name, BMBE registration, Business Name, BMBE registration, Barangay Clearance, Registration with LGU, SEC, CDA, etc.);
  3. Conduct of skills development sessions such as business plan preparation;
  4. Facilitation of trade fair participation;
  5. Facilitation of specialized business licenses/ certifications; and
  6. Development of area-specific programs/ project proposals for MSMEs.

E-mail: bsmed@dti.gov.ph

12. The COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) is a safety net program of the DOLE for affected workers in the formal sector to mitigate the adverse economic impacts of reduction of income brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program components include a one-time financial assistance of PhP5,000 and employment facilitation.

To avail the CAMP, an affected worker must be an employee of a private establishment that has implemented FWAs or temporary closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Affected establishments must submit the following online to the appropriate DOLE Regional Office or any of its Provincial/Field Offices: (1) Establishment Report on COVID-19 and (2) Company Payroll for the month prior the implementation of FWAs or temporary closure. Guidelines may be found at https://www.dole.gov.ph/php_assets/uploads/2020/03/a.department-order-no.-209.pdf   and https://www.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/labor-advisory-no.-12-1.pdf.

On the non-availability of payroll, the DOLE has recently issued the Labor Advisory No. 12-A: Clarificatory Advisory on CAMP Documentary Requirements, indicating submission of documents substitute for payroll to avail the program.

Note:  DOLE-CAMP has temporarily stopped accepting applications. Program funds are for replenishment.

E-mail: camp.doleble@gmail.com

13. Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfection/Sanitation Project (TUPAD #BKBK) is a community-based safety net program of DOLE that provides temporary wage employment to the informal economy works, such as but not limited to underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized workers who have lost their livelihood or whose earnings were affected due to the community quarantine against COVID-19. Guidelines on TUPAD #BKBK Disinfecting/Sanitation Project may be found at https://www.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DO-210v2.pdf.

14. Small Business Wage Subsidy Program

The national government is providing a wage subsidy for affected employees of small businesses to help mitigate the impact of the quarantine in Luzon and various local government units. This wage subsidy shall be given for up to two months so that affected small businesses are able to retain their employees during the quarantine period.

Under the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) measure, the government, through the Social Security System (SSS), shall provide a wage subsidy of between 5,000 to 8,000 pesos (based on the regional minimum wage) per month per eligible employee.

Eligibility criteria for small businesses and employees, as well as conditions to avail of the program are available at https://www.dof.gov.ph/small-business-wage-subsidy-program/. Applications will be completed by the employer on behalf of their employees.

The Social Security System (SSS) will only be accepting applications from April 16, 2020 to April 30, 2020.

For inquiries on pre-qualification, an email may be sent to BIR at SBWS_BIRquery@bir.gov.ph with the following information:

  1. TIN
  2. Registered Name or Business Name
  3. Revenue District Office (RDO) where registered
  4. Your MessageDOF trunk line: (02)525-0244

For SSS inquiries:

Call Center: 1455 Toll Free: 1-800-10-2255777
E-mail: SBWSQueries@sss.gov.ph
Facebook: fb.com/SSSPh
Website: www.sss.gov.ph

15. Mobilization of an existing PhP1.2 billion in the Social Security System (SSS) to cover unemployment benefits for dislocated workers

The Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefit is a cash benefit granted to covered employees, including domestic workers and overseas Filipino workers who are involuntarily separated from employment. It is provided under Republic Act No. 11199 or Social Security Act of 2018.

See SSS Unemployment Benefits brochure for requirements:

https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=Unemployment_Benefit_Brochure_Nov_21_2019.pdf

SSS IVRF: (02) 7917-7777
E-mail: member_relations@sss.gov.ph

16. Survival and Recovery (SURE) COVID-19 offers working capital loans to agri-fishery MSEs and emergency and production requirements assistance to Marginalized Small Farmers and Fishers (MSFF) to continue operations amid the quarantine. The financing program was designed in support of the DA’s “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra COVID-19” or Plant Plant Plant Program, which aims to increase farm productivity and ensure food sufficiency during the COVID-19 emergency situation. 

Program Brochure: http://acpc.gov.ph/programs/sure-covid-19/

Telephone number: (02) 8634-3320 to 31 / (02) 8636-3391 to 93
E-mail: pdd@acpc.gov.ph, surecovid.19@gmail.com or info@acpc.gov.ph  

17. Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers is a one-time financial assistance amounting to PhP5,000 to be given to rice farmers with farm sizes ranging from 1 hectare and below and listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). 

Telephone number: +63 (2) 8928-8741 to 64 and +63 (2) 8273-2474
Email: info@da.gov.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dacentralphilippines

18. Recovery Package for Micro and Small Enterprises Engaged in Agriculture and Fisheries Food Production, and other Supply Chain Activities in Accordance with the Agripreneurship Development Fund/Program of the ACPC – A package consisting of financial assistance and capacity building for micro and small enterprises engaged in agriculture and fisheries production, and other supply chain activities, to ensure the availability of food supply, and help them recover their losses due to the enhanced community quarantine.

For the documentary requirements, see Section 8 on page 18 of the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020: Special Guidelines on the Provision of Social Amelioration Measures by the DSWD, DOLE, DTI, DA, DOF, DBM, and DILG to the Most Affected Residents of the Areas Under Enhanced Community Quarantine. 

Telephone number: (02) 8928-8741 to 64 and +63 (2) 8273-2474
E-mail: info@da.gov.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dacentralphilippines

19. Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)’s Rehabilitation Support Program on Severe Events (RESPONSE) provides public and private institutions in areas declared under a state of calamity with low-interest loans under a simplified application procedure

Paul D. Lazaro

Head of Lending Program Management Group
Telephone numbers: (02) 8893-3545, 8818-9511
E-mail: pdlazaro@dbp.ph

Rustico Noli D. Cruz

Head of Program Development and Management Department
Telephone numbers: (02) 8893-9745, 8818-9511
E-mail: rndcruz@dbp.ph

Carla Gianca C. Gonzales

Program Officer of Program Development and Management Department
Telephone number: (02) 8818-9511
E-mail:  cgcgonzales@dbp.ph  

20. Landbank Interim Rehabilitation Support to Cushion Unfavorably-affected Enterprises by COVID-19 (I-RESCUE) aims to support SMEs, cooperatives, and MFIs thru the provision of additional funds and loan restructuring under more flexible terms and conditions. The Program is a PhP10-billion initial internal fund which will be made available up to December 31, 2020 for the following types of credit assistance:

    1. Rehabilitation Credit
      1. Rehabilitation Credit for SMEs
      2. Rehabilitation Credit for Cooperatives and MFIs
    2. Rehabilitation through Loan Restructuring

Program Brochure: www.landbank.com/images/inner_template/1587085966_I-RESCUE-LENDING-PROGRAM-BROCHURE-PER-LPMG-COMMENTS.pdf

For more information, contact: Programs Management Department II 27th Floor, LANDBANK Plaza 1598 M.H. del Pilar cor. Dr. J. Quintos Sts., Malate, Manila Tel. No. (+632) 8405-7198 or visit the nearest LANDBANK Lending Center.

21. The grant of temporary and rediscounting relief measures to include the provision of financial assistance, grace period/moratorium on loans, non-imposition of penalties, among others, for BSP Supervised Financial Institutions (see Memorandum No. M-2020-008 for the complete list of regulatory relief measures for BSFIs).

Telephone: (02) 8708-7701
E-mail: bspmail@bsp.gov.ph 

22. Loan moratorium for the client beneficiaries of Microfinance Council of the Philippines (MCPI) and the Alliance of Philippine Partners in Enterprise Development (APPEND)

During the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon, there will be no loan payment collections, and no penalties or fines will be levied on the micro-entrepreneurs being catered by MCPI and APPEND member institutions. 

Telephone: (02) 8631-5920
Contact Form: https://microfinancecouncil.org/contact/ 

23. The DiskarTech Mobile App is an all-in-one inclusion super app which allows its users to open a Basic Deposit Account with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), and to use this account to perform various financial transactions, such as transfers, bill payments, and mobile load purchases, etc.

Member-to-member program is a permanent feature of the App, which gives incentives to DiskarTech users who can onboard people to the App. Both the referee and referrer will receive credits once the former has completed the registration and verification process. 

Hotline: (+632) 8877-7222
E-mail: customercare@rcbc.com

Strategic Goal 3: Enhancing Management and Labor Capacities

24. Tech Tools for MSMEs during COVID19

The DTI recently developed a Google site to provide information to MSMEs on the different technology tools, applications, platform and resources available in coping with the challenges of the community quarantine. Various tools and solutions relating to e-commerce, e-payment, digital marketing, logistics, work from home collaboration, productivity, and webinars offered by different development partners are made easily accessible through https://sites.google.com/view/tech-resources-for-msmes.

E-mail: bsmed@dti.gov.ph 

25. Currently administers by the DTI’s PTTC-GMEA, the ASEAN SME Academy is a one-stop multi-platform online learning and information resource which aims to provide training and mentorship to enhance ASEAN SMEs capabilities to grow and compete regionally and internationally.

The Academy offers around 50 training courses on finance/accounting, management, marketing, operation, technology, and trade/logistics. About 350 relevant links to business information and access to a directory of service providers to whom SMEs can reach out for financial advice, corporate programs and networking are also available through www.asean-sme-academy.org with link at the PTTC’s website www.pttc.gov.ph.

26. CTRL + BIZ: Reboot Now! Offers a series of FREE webinars that are targeted to MSMEs who need to transform their business digitally. Enablers across the entire E-Commerce ecosystem will provide their expertise and experiences on how to take advantage of the digital space. Check out the full schedule of sessions at their DTI E-Commerce Facebook page (facebook.com/dti.ecommerce/).

27. Rebuilding the Sari-Sari Stores Through Access to Resources and Trade (ReSTART) is a multi-partnership program (among the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations Group, Coca-Cola Far East Limited, Philippines, Small Business Corporation, ASA Philippines Foundation Inc., and Alalay Sa Kaunlaran Inc.) which aims to help re-start the business and stimulate the economic recovery of the micro-retail sector under the post-COVID-19 next normal. This program has three (3) components:

  • Component 1: Safe Stores Communication. This component relates to the development of information materials (on-ground and digital posters) that will promote safe stores operations under the next normal
  • Component 2: Safe Store Education. This component relates to the development of online modules on how micro-retailers shall operate safely under the next normal/ post-COVID
  • Component 3: Retailers’ Rebuild
    • 3A: Bridge Loan. This sub-component relates to the provision of loans to micro-retailers.
    • 3B: Safe Stores Kit. This sub-component relates to the provision of information materials to micro-retailers availing loans to promote the observance of safe stores operations

28. To support affected and temporarily displaced workers through upskilling and reskilling, the TESDA is offering free courses (https://www.e-tesda.gov.ph/course/) for all who would like to acquire new skills in the convenience of their own homes, mobile phones and computers through the TESDA Online Program (TOP).

The TOP is an open educational resource that aims to make technical education more accessible to Filipino citizens through the use of information and communication technologies. It provides an effective and efficient way to deliver technical education and skills development services to a broader audience/wide range of users/all learners at a lesser cost.

TESDA Contact Center: 8887-7777, e-mail: contactcenter@tesda.gov.ph

29. International Training Centre Modular distance learning “Supporting SMEs during Covid-19” – Block 2

The International Training Centre (ITC), the training arm of the International Labour Organization (ILO), is offering free modular course on “Supporting SMEs during COVID-19” – Block 2. MSMEs are encouraged to join and avail of this free modular distance course which can be accessed thru the link https://ecampus.itcilo.org/enrol/index.php?id=1330. The course will enable MSMEs to learn what enterprises can do in terms of business continuity planning, marketing, digitalization and accessing financial services, amongst others, in order to protect their business and their workers.

30. COVID-19 Small Business Continuity and Recovery Planning Toolkit

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s (UNDRR) Regional Office for Asia and Pacific developed toolkit to support SMEs:

  • Protect their employees and customers from contracting and passing COVID-19.
  • Rapidly take measures that can protect their businesses from the incoming disruptions, especially in countries that have not yet been severely impacted by COVID-19.
  • That have been impacted by COVID-19 to utilize all resources that might be available to them to remain solvent and operational.

The toolkit includes the following:

  1. Planning Tool organized around ‘10 tips’ to make businesses resilient
    Download PDF in: [English] [Filipino] [Cebuano]
  1. Brief guide for impacted businesses with an ‘additional 5 tips’
    Download PDF in: [English] [Filipino] [Cebuano]
  1. Awareness-raising brochure summarizing the ’10 tips’ and the ‘5 additional tips’
    Download PDF in [English] [Filipino] [Cebuano]

31. Go Negosyo’s Mentor Me Online Live on Facebook for FREE

Go Negosyo offers free mentoring session on their official Facebook page joined by prominent Go Negosyo mentors and business experts to discuss business issues and concerns as well as provide technical and practical know-how on managing micro and small businesses.

Schedule: Every Mondays-Fridays, 10AM-11AM and 3PM-5PM
Go Negosyo Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/GoNegosyoOfficial   

32. Cisco Webex offers free trial on its platform to meet, collaborate, share files and continue with video conferencing and online training amidst COVID-19 ECQ

The unprecedented increase in remote work happening around the world due to circumstances resulting from COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease) has led to the increased demand for reliable solutions that enable connection on any device and at any location. Cisco Webex offers 90-day free trial on its platform for MSMEs to do online meetings with employees, partners and suppliers, conduct online training, collaborate and share files anytime, anywhere, on any device amidst COVID-19 ECQ. Solutions like Cisco Webex are designed for business use and have end-to-end security to protect you and your data when conducting your online meetings. Free trial of Cisco Webex is available at https://cart.webex.com/sign-up-webex.

Strategic Goal 4: Improving Access to Technology and Innovation

33. Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project / Fabrication Laboratories (FabLabs)

SSF project aims to improve MSME competitiveness by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, accessories and other auxiliary items, skills and knowledge under a shared system. Specifically, this provision should help target beneficiaries increase their production capacities and improve product quality, resulting to increased markets, increased sales, and further contributing to jobs generation.  It is a public-private partnership initiative being implemented through cooperators who can provide sustainable facilities to house the machinery and equipment and make these accessible to MSMEs.

The SSF Project, designed to address the technological and innovation needs of MSMEs in the country and in addressing community challenges as well has made a quick response to the health crisis caused by COVID-19.

31 SSF FabLabs funded by the DTI along with privately-run FabLabs collaborating with experts to produce personal protective equipment (PPEs).  SSF FabLabs in particular are responding to the needs of the COVID-19 Outbreak in the country by producing face shields and aerosol boxes that can be made manually, or using digital fabrication machines such as 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, etc.  Other SSF/FabLabs are into production of ethyl alcohol.  Fabrication of items such as scrub suits, reusable masks and ventilators are being explored to address the gap.

E-mail: bsmed@dti.gov.ph 

Strategic Goal 5: Access to Market

34. The DTI Philippines has piloted the Online National Food Fair in Shopee.PH and Shopee Mobile App. This pilot online trade fair project featured 29 participants including MSME exhibitors. At the comfort of your homes, you can now shop and order healthy snacks, vegetarian and gourmet food, processed food products and various Filipino delicacies from our very own Pinoy MSMEs. This pilot online trade fair is a joint project of the DTI – Trade Promotions Group Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP), DTI E-Commerce Office, DTI Regional Operations Group and Shopee Philippines. Visit DTI Philippines for more updates on how we help more MSMEs achieve success through e-commerce!

35. Series of Diskwento Caravan and Rolling Stores are being conducted, some of which are done jointly with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and local government units in cooperation with MSME suppliers, to ensure supply of basic necessities priced in accordance with, or lower than the suggested retail prices. These also provide markets for our MSME manufacturers of basic necessities to sell their products as well as assisting our consumers by providing them products at discounted prices.

36. Easybuilder.Pro, a partner of the DTI, is waiving subscription fees for MSMEs for developing a website using their platform. MSMEs just need to register using the promo code: 7THH1-07X0-38MG-2189 which should be activated before August 1, 2020.

EasyBuilder.Pro is a website building platform specifically designed to enable non-IT professionals to create a website for their business and personal needs. It offers a range of templates for different purposes, such as webpages for hobbies, events and businesses, as well as providing web hosting.

Creating websites using platforms like the Easybuilder.Pro could be a powerful tool to immediately assist MSMEs to digitalize their retail operations, remain connected to people, or even work remotely from the comforts of their homes during this challenging time.

Website: https://www.easybuilder.pro/
E-mail: bsmed@dti.gov.ph