BAGUIO CITY(PIA) --The Department of Trade and Industry continues to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.  

Glonica Joyce Favorito, DTI-CAR regional information officer, said the goal for this year is to merge the upgrading and upskilling of MSMEs, and to upsize from micro to small.

The DTI is using industry focused approach for MSMEs, and in the Cordillera region,  the DTI has five   focused   industries  namely;   cacao, coffee, bamboo, processed foods and nuts, and   wearable items and textiles, she explained in a radio interview.

Under upgrading, first priority is the conduct of more trade fairs to help MSMEs improve their market access. There are also capacity building activities.

The second priority is capacitating the MSMEs in terms of digital marketing and e-commerce in order to sustain their businesses.  

“We encourage our MSMEs to adapt their business to the online world,” Favorito said.

For the upskilling, DTI has the  Kapatid Mentor Me Program which aims to help MSMEs scale up their business through coaching and mentoring.

Another program is the Youth Entrepreneurship Program which aims to enhance, and instill the values of entrepreneurship, and the formation of ideas and habits of cooperation among students.

DTI maintains its  regular programs to support MSMEs  like the Negosyo Center, One Town One Product, the Shared Service Facilities, Rise Up program, Diskwento caravan, and learning and development opportunities, among others.

Meanwhile, Jeremias Mario D. Agpes of the DTI-CAR  Consumer Protection Division, shared that aside from overseeing the effective implementation and enforcement of trade regulations and fair trade laws, the DTI is continuously providing protection to consumers through consumer education and information dissemination programs.

He  reminded owners of service  and  repair shops to secure an accreditation from the DTI before operation.

Under Presidential Decree No. 1572, as amended by Article 128 of Republic Act 7394, or the  Consumer Act of the Philippines, no person shall operate a repair and service firm or act as technical personnel therein without first being accredited by the DTI. This aims to protect the interest of the consumers availing their services.

The accreditation also  ensures that the enterprises have the necessary tools, equipment, and facilities, and its technical personnel have the required expertise to provide the services.

The  four main categories for   accredited service enterprises or repair shops are  Motor vehicle and heavy equipment; Engine rebuilding and engineering machine shop; Electronics, electrical, air conditioning and refrigeration; Office machine and data processing, and  Medical/dental equipment. (JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR)