DTI expands logistics network to boost exports, goods flow

MAKATI CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Feb. 11 expanded its logistics network, onboarding private sector partners to address three key vulnerabilities in the national supply chain: disaster response, export competitiveness, and inter-island trade.

Central to the new agreements is the mobilization of private fleets during national emergencies to keep the movement of food, medicine, and relief packs running when calamities disrupt transport routes.

The DTI said it is partnering with land transport leaders, including Toyota Motor Philippines and Victory Liner, alongside green logistics provider Mober, to strengthen supply chain continuity during disasters.

“Logistics is a vital pillar of our national resilience. By integrating these industry leaders into our network, we are ensuring that essential supply chains remain operational even under challenging conditions. Our goal is to create a secure movement of goods that protects both our businesses and the Filipino consumers they serve,” DTI Secretary Cristina Roque stated.

The DTI’s expanded network also aims to keep local logistics capacity aligned with rising international demand as Philippine exports continue to climb.

To support export competitiveness, the agency is bringing in the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL) and the Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. to help connect local producers to global markets.

The DTI also tapped courier and delivery firms J&T Express, Shopee Xpress, and JRS Business Corporation to strengthen “last-mile” logistics and reduce costs that can contribute to higher consumer prices.

The agency said the move is intended to create a smoother flow of products across the country’s 7,600 islands, to make it as affordable to ship goods between provinces as it is within Metro Manila.

“Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we are strategically modernizing our logistics ecosystem to eliminate the geographic barriers that have long hindered trade across our archipelago. By optimizing our infrastructure and fostering these high-level partnerships, we are making the Philippines a more competitive hub where businesses of all sizes—from local startups to global exporters—can grow with confidence and efficiency,” the DTI chief added.

The DTI is channeling MSME support through the Supply Chain and Logistics Center (SCLC), which it said was established in June 2025 as a primary hub to help small businesses navigate the expanded network.

Through its portal (supplychainlogistics.dti.gov.ph), MSMEs can access real-time service referrals and regulatory guidance meant to reduce costs and simplify compliance requirements.

The Feb. 11 event also saw the activation of the SCLC Guild, an advisory body of industry veterans providing pro bono technical support to help MSMEs optimize delivery routes and reduce overhead.

Secretary Roque said the new partnership framework is intended to help MSMEs expand beyond their regions by removing logistical constraints that limit market reach.

“This partnership is a strategic move for our MSMEs, effectively removing the logistical challenge that limits their reach. By empowering small businesses to move their products seamlessly across the country, we are ensuring that the quality of Filipino goods is being matched by the speed and reliability of our logistics.”

The DTI identified the second batch of SCLC partners as: AISL, Fintech Alliance PH, GO21 Inc., In-line Logistics, J&T Express, JRS Business Corp, PASIA, Mober Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, PEMAP, Shopee Xpress, Toyota Motor Philippines, and Victory Liner.

The agency said that during the launch last year, 18 founding partners signed a pledge of support to the SCLC: 2GO Group, Inc.; Airspeed, Cebu Pacific Cargo, DHL Express Philippines, F2 Logistics, Fast Logistics, FedEx Express Philippines, Flash Express, Grab, Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal, Lalamove, LBC Express, Maersk, Philippine Airlines Cargo, Philippine Multimodal Transport and Logistics Association, Inc.; San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp., Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines, and YelloX Supply Chain Solutions.

In the Philippines, logistics is a recurring constraint for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly for moving goods across islands where shipping schedules, port handling, and last-mile delivery can add time and costs that reduce competitiveness.

The DTI’s SCLC initiative is part of a broader government push to improve trade efficiency by linking businesses to transport providers and industry experts, especially as more enterprises seek to sell beyond local markets and participate in export supply chains.