The Department of Trade and Industry announced its newly launched programs for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) scheduled for implementation in 2017. This announcement was made by DTI-3 Regional Director Judith P. Angeles during the Unified Flag Raising Ceremony held on January 30, 2017 at the Regional Government Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Speaking before almost 600 government officials and staff from the different agencies in the government center, Director Angeles reiterated the vision set out by the new administration for DTI – “A More Inclusive and Prosperous Philippines with Employment and Income Opportunities for All.”
The three strategic initiatives which will implemented by DTI for 2017 are: Brand Equity Development Program (BED), Industry Cluster Enhancement Program (ICE) and the Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs Program (KMME).
The Brand Equity Development program, Director Angeles explained, aims to develop new strong homegrown Philippine brands in both local and foreign markets from the ranks of MSMEs. The programs is targeting at least one brand developed per year per province. The Industry Cluster Enhancement program, on the other hand, aims to develop more globally integrated, highly sustainable and productive priority industry clusters where MSMEs are heavily involved. The Regional Operations Group of DTI has eight priority clusters which include – Bamboo, Coffee, Cacao, Coco Coir, Fruits and Nuts , Gifts, Decors and Wearables. The third strategic initiative of DTI for this year is the KMME program. It aims to help micro entrepreneurs scale up their businesses through regular coaching and mentoring sessions from business owners and practitioners on different functional areas of entrepreneurship, such as those held in Negosyo Centers nationwide. The KMME program is being implemented in partnership with Go Negosyo or the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, which is headed by Presidential Consultant Joey Concepcion. For Region 3, Director Angeles conveyed that DTI-3 is targeting this year KMME sessions in all seven (7) provinces of the region. She also announced that DTI is looking for possible local mentors to participate in the program.
Aside from these programs, Director Angeles noted that the agency will still pursue its other mandate of protecting consumers through price monitoring, consumer groups assistance, monitoring of mandatory products and product certification.