CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Luzon will continue to capacitate micro and small entrepreneurs towards digital transformation, as part of its priority programs under the new normal. 
 
DTI Regional Director Leonila Baluyut said annually, they have a target number of MSMEs that they want to engage into e-commerce and use social media platforms in selling their products. 
 
“In terms of onboarding MSMEs, we have many e-commerce related activities that will capacitate them on how to sell online. Per province, we have specific webinars designed to mentor our MSMEs on how to go online,” she said. 
 
However, the director said that there is still a challenge for micro entrepreneurs in terms of connectivity and signal, but clarified that is not an isolated case in Region 3. 
 
“In the whole country, we are having problems with our signal. There are many areas in the region that are dead spots. However, with that infrastructure, we are still trying to move on with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, as well as other agencies and private institutions to address this problem,” Baluyut said. 
 
Aside from the webinars, the director said one of the initiatives of DTI to encourage entrepreneurs to have online presence is the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) program. 
 
“Data shows that 95% of our business name registrations are micro. Not all of them are capable. Based on our assessment, our MSMEs are trying their best to have their social media presence felt even by just selling via the Facebook marketplace,” Baluyut said. 
 
With this, DTI 3 SME Development Division OIC Jojo Toledo said the KMME program helps boost the online presence of entrepreneurs, through its Go Shopping component.
 
“Through this, we provide an online marketplace for KMME mentees and mentee graduates through live selling so they can connect with the pubic, their co-mentees, mentors, entrepreneurs, potential buyers and investors to promote and sell their products and services on Go Negosyo and DTI Regional Operations Group’s page via FB Live,” he said. 
 
Toledo added that the program also provides an avenue where success stories of KMME mentees can be featured online, as well as provide a virtual platform where KMME graduates can gather through a summit to share best practices. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)