ILOILO CITY – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Pascual led the launch of two DTI Region 6 projects–the Western Visayas Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) named Weave Philippines and the Integrated MSME Management Information System (iMMIS) on 8 June 2023. In his speech, Secretary Pascual emphasized the DTI’s commitment on upgrading, upscaling, and upsizing the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)–the backbone of the Philippine economy.
Secretary Pascual also committed the Philippine government’s unwavering efforts in propelling industrialization initiatives for the country. He explained that through these projects, the government aims to empower MSMEs to maximize digitalization in order to support their expansion and innovation.
In his speech, Secretary Pascual mentioned that “For new and promising entrepreneurs, we are building a robust startup ecosystem that turns their creative projects into entrepreneurial pursuits. With the establishment of the RIIC and the Integrated MIS for MSMEs, our MSMEs in the Western Visayas Region will become even more competitive. This heightened competitiveness will help our economy recover from the pandemic, promote inclusive growth, and improve the quality of life of the Filipino people.”
The establishment of RIICs aims to bring together a network of creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial Filipinos driven by the desire to create new changes in their products and services. These Centers also serve as a platform to link stakeholders from government, academe and industry to address existing gaps in regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. Further, it will also support the upscaling of Regional Industry Clusters and foster collaborations between various sectors and industries.
To date, DTI has successfully established nine Centers nationwide and formed four Regional Groups, which include Region 6. More will be established in the coming months. Further, the Weave Philippines from the Western Visayas is specifically designed to upscale the weaving industry of region 6 in preparation of their integration in the global value chain. Notably, it’s the first RIIC to include all of its six provinces, namely Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental.
Aside from RIIC, the launch of the iMMIS is also parallel with the Department’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) driven approach to facilitate the growth and expansion of MSMEs. The comprehensive database will provide much-needed information to MSMEs in order to guide them in formulating their operational strategies, eventually supporting the region’s growth and sustainability efforts.
To close, Secretary Pascual said, “The embrace of digitalization fortifies the resilience of MSMEs and their stakeholders, fostering competitiveness and sustainability. We endorse referencing the Integrated MSME Management Information System when crafting strategies to achieve the triple bottom line of profit, people, and planet – a clear testament to our commitment to sustainability in the region.” ♦
Date of release: 08 June 2023
