DTI, EU-backed Digital PINAS upgrade 14 Negosyo Centers

The Department of Trade and Industry and the European Union-supported Digital PINAS program have turned over information and communications technology equipment to 14 Negosyo Centers in geographically isolated and underserved communities, aiming to help more micro, small, and medium enterprises access digital tools, government services, and online markets.

The handover was formally marked on March 12, 2026, and the press release was posted on March 19, 2026.

The package includes laptops, tablets, printers, and, for selected sites, satellite internet equipment and subscription support for areas where connectivity remains weak or unreliable.

Officials said the upgrades are meant to expand service capacity in communities where business owners often face limited access to devices, slow internet, and high digital adoption costs.

During the handover ceremony, officials from DTI, the United Nations Development Programme, and the European Union said the initiative targets a persistent gap in the country’s digital transformation, with rural entrepreneurs often unable to afford equipment or secure reliable internet despite the central role of MSMEs in the economy.

UNDP said MSMEs account for about 99.6 percent of all enterprises in the Philippines and roughly 65 percent of private sector employment.

Assistant Secretary Grace Baluyan underscored the operational constraints faced by field offices serving remote communities.

“Many of our centers still lack computers or struggle with slow internet, which limits how many clients we can serve in a day. With new equipment and stronger connectivity, we can assist more MSMEs daily and help them thrive in the digital economy.”

The upgraded Negosyo Centers in Luzon are located in Balbalan, Kalinga; Polillo, Quezon; and Ragay, Camarines Sur.

In the Visayas, the beneficiary centers are in Caluya, Antique; Buenavista, Guimaras; Mambusao, Capiz; Marabut, Samar; and Abuyog, Leyte.

In Mindanao, the upgraded sites are in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Kitaotao and Don Carlos, Bukidnon; Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; and Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Christophe Bahuet said the project is designed to bring practical digital services closer to entrepreneurs outside major business centers.

“Digital transformation must reach entrepreneurs in the most remote communities, not only those in major cities,” he said. “Through the upgraded Negosyo Centers, we are focusing on hands-on services that matter to small businesses: digital diagnostics and coaching, e-gov onboarding, basic e-commerce setup, and connectivity support for last-mile communities.”

First Secretary Frederic Grillet of the EU Delegation to the Philippines said the partnership reflects the bloc’s continuing support for more inclusive digital growth.

“Through our support to the Joint Programme, the European Union remains committed to ensuring that digital transformation creates tangible opportunities for small businesses.”

Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona said the investment also supports the government’s push to make frontline assistance more reachable for entrepreneurs in far-flung communities.

“Strengthening our Negosyo Centers is central to how we make government support more accessible to entrepreneurs,” she said. “By improving digital readiness, especially in remote areas, we ensure that no entrepreneur is left behind in the country’s digital transformation.”

Negosyo Centers serve as a first stop for entrepreneurs seeking business name registration, mentoring, and links to government support, but official program documents note that many remote centers still operate with limited computers and poor internet service.

With the added equipment and connectivity, the 14 sites are expected to handle more clients, support digital transactions, and widen access to training and online resources.

The handover also fits into the wider Digital PINAS program launched in 2025 to help close the digital gap for 15,000 small businesses.

UNDP said the joint program has a total budget of USD 5 million and follows a three-pillar strategy that includes capacity building, the establishment of digital transformation hubs in at least 30 remote and underserved areas, and policy advocacy to encourage inclusive digitalization.

Digital PINAS is implemented by UNDP, the International Labour Organization, and the International Trade Centre under the auspices of the UN Resident Coordinator, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and other government agencies. The program is supported through the Joint SDG Fund, with contributions from the European Union and other member states.