DTI brings BizConEx 2026 on Wheels to Iloilo
ILOILO CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry Region VI, in partnership with DTI Iloilo, held the Iloilo leg of the Western Visayas Business Conference and Expo on Wheels, or BizConEx 2026, on Aug. 7, 2026, at Sam’s 21 Hotel Iloilo.
The event brought together government agencies, industry leaders, development partners, and micro, small, and medium enterprises for discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration aimed at strengthening the business ecosystem and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs in Western Visayas.
MSMEs account for 99.63% of the Philippines’ 1,241,476 registered business establishments in 2024, with 1,236,908 classified as micro, small, or medium enterprises, according to DTI data based on Philippine Statistics Authority figures.
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa S. Treñas-Chu delivered the keynote message, while Jobert A. Peñaflorida, co-chair of the Regional Development Council VI and area vice president for the Visayas of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Francis Gerona, representing PCCI Region 6 Regional Governor Fulbert C. Woo, delivered messages of support.
Among the highlights was a fireside chat featuring Aulynn Yue Sin, EnP, representing Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr., on the province’s initiatives to support MSMEs through startup development, digital transformation, sustainability, and market access.
The conference also featured sessions on sustainable business solutions, the Export Marketing Roadmap for MSMEs of Western Visayas for 2026–2028, and the entrepreneurial journeys of successful local business owners.
Participants also joined a Policy Canvas Workshop to identify business concerns and develop policy recommendations aimed at creating a more responsive and enabling environment for MSMEs.
A product exhibit featuring halal-certified goods, coconut-based innovations, food products, and local craftsmanship showcased the quality and diversity of enterprises in Western Visayas.
Through BizConEx on Wheels, DTI Region VI and DTI Iloilo aim to strengthen partnerships and connect MSMEs with knowledge, networks, and opportunities to innovate, grow, and remain competitive.
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