ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 conducted a training session on lean management and productivity to strengthen the capabilities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the Wearables and Homestyle Industry Cluster (WHIC), in Western Visayas.

This collaboration with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board VI (RTWPB VI), an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment, addressed the pressing needs as identified during the localization of the national WHIC Roadmap, centering on enhancing productivity.

Region 6 WHIC MSMEs gather for the Lean Management and Productivity 101 Training conducted by DTI Region 6 in collaboration with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 6 and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), on April 30, 2024 at the DTI Regional Office 6

In response, the DTI Region 6 helped equip MSMEs in the area with the essential tools and techniques necessary for improving competitiveness and productivity.

Further, expert facilitators from RTWPB 6 led the training which tackled the fundamentals of Lean Management and Productivity. The session provided participants with practical methods for identifying and eliminating wasteful practices, along with insights into maximizing resource utilization through Productivity 101 principles.

By implementing these learnings, MSMEs can streamline their processes, reduce costs, and optimize resource allocation. This leads to improved productivity and profitability, and enhances competitiveness in the market.

As they continue to apply these principles, MSMEs position themselves for sustained growth and success in the wearables and homestyle industry.

The WHIC sector, encompassing subsectors such as wearables (apparel, fashion accessories, footwear) and homestyle (housewares, home decors, furniture, and furnishings), plays a big role in driving economic growth in Western Visayas.

As investments and job opportunities surge, initiatives like this highlight the government’s commitment to providing crucial assistance and direction to businesses in sectors vital to national economic advancement. ♦

Date of release: 08 May 2024