The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Quezon Provincial Office hosted the DTI 4A KMME-MME Online MS Batch Government Services Forum on 9 June 2022, via Zoom Teleconference with various partner agencies intending to assist the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in CALABARZON, through various programs and services while addressing the issues and concerns.
At the event, moderated by DTI Quezon Trade-Industry Development Analyst – Negosyo Center Keanu Austin R. Rairata and Negosyo Center Lucena City Business Counselor Rolynda N. Quimora, various government agencies, which are common partners of DTI in providing assistance to MSMEs, discussed each agency’s programs and services. Before the discussion, DTI-ROG Under Secretary Blesila A. Lantayona and DTI-Batangas OIC Provincial Director Leila M. Cabreros delivered inspirational messages. Following that, a crowd shot was taken to document the forum.
Each agency discussed its programs and services, and the participants/mentees were given the chance to ask questions related to the topic afterward. The first agency to discuss was the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), represented by DTI Batangas OIC Provincial Director Cabreros. Following that, FDRO I/Licensing Officer Joan P. Molina of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Region IVA discussed the License to Operate Registration Process. Mr. Michael R. Carpio of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) then presented the mentees with his agency’s programs and services, particularly the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) for MSMEs’ technological needs. To fully understand the General Labor Standards for MSMEs, Engr. Mark Brian Torres, Senior Labor and Employment Officer of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), discussed holiday pay, various types of leaves, and benefits to which an employee is entitled with the participants. The Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) was the last to present its programs and services, and it was discussed by Communications Department Officer, Ms. Eloisa Pamatmat-Isip. One of the mentees commended the quick response and assistance provided by the said agency.
To officially end the program, DTI IV-A host provinces-Quezon and Cavite’s Provincial Directors gave their closing messages to the participants. “The universe is a big buffet,” DTI Cavite Provincial Director Revelyn A. Cortez shared. “The blessings are all around us, and it’s up to us to touch the blessings and make use of them for our own good and for the good of others,” she said, referring to KMME as a blessing, particularly for the mentees for all the lessons learned.
DTI Quezon Provincial Director Julieta Lusterio-Tadiosa expressed her gratitude to the DTI technical team, DTI staff, mentees, and speakers for their contributions to the forum. She also underlined the objective of the Forum and its significance in shaping the business operations of the mentees. “Many of you are ready to jump aboard the success train of entrepreneurship with your fresh ideas but are unsure of how to do so due to a fundamental stumbling block: your lack of awareness of what the government has to offer in terms of programs and services. As a result, the government services forum is a special session where existing businesses converge with government agencies to obtain important information and to identify and highlight issues they experience in accessing government services,” explained PD Tadiosa. “Together we can formulate solutions that you, the mentees, can consider taking action on,” she added ♦
Date of Release: 22 June 2022