Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Luzon assured continuous implementation of programs that will support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while ensuring consumer protection. 

Among the priority programs of the agency is to develop the entrepreneurial spirit by helping more individuals start and sustain their own businesses. 

DTI OIC-Regional Director Brigida Pili disclosed that business name registrations totaled 118,791 during the first semester of 2023 wherein 105,107 are new registrations, while the remaining 13,684 are renewals.

“For the 1st semester of 2023, DTI Region 3 also assisted a total of 27,007 MSMEs. This significant support enables these enterprises to thrive, contributing to the region’s economic sustainability and development,” she furthered. 

As part of its aid to MSMEs, the agency maintains 139 Negosyo Centers in the region.

These have provided accessible and valuable knowledge and resources for 68,002 clients in the first half of the year alone. 

In addition, a 123 percent accomplishment in terms of investor assistance has been noted, with a total of 54 investors against the initial target of 44. 

DTI also surpassed its initial target for exporters by 135% or 104 exporters compared to only 77. 

Pili added that DTI is also working on helping more entrepreneurs reach more markets through the conduct of trade fairs and encouraging them to go into e-commerce. 

“During the first semester, we have 13 runs of Diskwento Caravan across the region, which generated total sales of P15.581 million. In total, 63 trade fairs were organized during the period, with total sales worth P20.194 million,” she said. 

In terms of going digital, a total of 10,301 MSMEs adopted e-commerce which is 108% of the target. 

DTI also continues to aid MSMEs through the Kapatid Mentor Me Program, which produced 48 new graduates who were given training to expand their network and scale their businesses.

The agency resolved or mediated a total of 388 complaints and garnered 99.33% very satisfied rate from 98.52% retrieval rate. (PIA 3)