DTI Bohol pilots MBSAP

For retail entrepreneurs

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—In recognition to the critical role retailers and micro, small, medium enterprises (MSME) play in the local economies, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol, in partnership with local government units bring out customized variety of services in the package of Microbusiness Sustainability and Adaptability Program (MBSAP).

It is designed to empower small-scale entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and strategies needed to thrive in today's competitive market by focusing on sustainability and advancement, this program helps micro-businesses build resilience, foster innovation, and drive growth, according to DTI Bohol Provincial Director Vierna Teresa Ligan.

Through mentorship by experts in the business, networking and suited workshops according to the identified needs of MSMEs, we wish to empower small businesses for brighter future, by boosting their resilience, driving growth, and unlocking their success.

Now piloted in Clarin, Getafe and Loay, the MBSAP was conceptualized because the DTI noted specific need for MSMEs which could not join other DTI assistance programs, bared Carlo Escobilla, DTI trade and industry specialist.

Speaking during the Kapihan sa PIA, Escobilla said years of community work and business assistance has showed the DTI that there has to be special attention given to micro entrepreneurs who make retail available to families in communities.

The people who do not usually join the mainstream clients of DTI also deserve to get the help to make their businesses adapt and sustain, Escobilla said.

From them, we conceptualized an assistance program that, with the partnership of LGUs offer to them the fundamental skills and business sense needed to keep their investments going, he added.

For these people, we have Sari-Saring Programa para sa sarisaring problema sa mga Sari-sari stores, he shared, citing the ease of name recall.

In the program, with LGUS, the DTI and the local investments promotions offices with their business counselors offer free training and capacity building which is comprised of 3 months of lectures and 2 months of implementation of their learning, where the MSMEs get to be introduced to the fundamental concepts of business management, sales, marketing, accounting and human resource management.

Here, participating MSMES learn basic business recording on the ins and outs of money, one of the most critical factors in business sustainability.

The program also allows participating MSMEs to establish business access and market linkages where they can earn the privileges from major distributors and enjoy benefits for wholesale customers.

The partnership also automatically gets their business registered, which legitimizes their small businesses and opens to them access to the government and private sector’s loan programs and grants, he added.

With DTI mentorship, MSMEs can get into product development trainings to make sure their new products come up to the high global standards for usability and aesthetics.

MBSAP also lets the beneficiary some access to financing with the DTI connection through the SB Corporation, he said.

To be handled by the DTI and the local Negosyo Centers and its business counselors with the local investment promotions office, MBSAP also entails the LGU allocating funds for the training requirements of the participants as well as business starting capital after the participant graduates.

Graduates of the MBSAP training component will receive livelihood kits as incentive for completing the program, while LGUs also present their unique way of support through traveling allowances for entrepreneurs in the program, so they can attend the weekly lectures, Escobilla said. (PIABohol)

SARISARI’NG PROGRAMA. DTI, together with LGUS, pilot in three Bohol municipalities a program that serves the distinct needs of micro entrepreneurs through mentoring, network and linkages, product development assistance and financing access. The program is set to make retail businesses sustain and adapt to the times, according to DTI TIDS Carlo Escobilla (PIABohol)