DTI, SM Prime boost MSME resilience

Underscoring their shared commitment to disaster preparedness, the Department of Trade and Industry Region VI and SM Prime Holdings Inc. conducted the 2026 Business Continuity Planning Training Program on April 28, 2026, at SM City Iloilo.

The initiative, anchored on a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, aims to institutionalize resilience among micro, small, and medium enterprises by equipping them with tools to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions.

The 2026 rollout targets enterprises that have not yet participated in previous BCP activities to expand access to the intervention.

A total of 22 participants, composed of SM mall tenants and DTI-assisted MSMEs, attended the one-day session.

The training was held on mall premises to ensure accessibility and strengthen public-private collaboration in protecting local livelihoods.

Business continuity planning helps enterprises identify risks, sustain essential operations, and recover faster from emergencies such as disasters, supply chain disruptions, and rising operating costs.

DTI Region VI Officer in Charge Regional Director Mutya Eusores said, “We continue to support MSMEs by helping them become more sustainable and resilient, especially with the energy crisis now affecting daily business operations. One of our mitigating measures is the conduct of these business continuity planning sessions which will teach small businesses with practical ways to prepare for disruptions and manage rising energy and operating costs. This approach helps MSMEs stay operational, plan ahead, and adapt to unexpected challenges. By reaching enterprises that have not yet joined earlier BCP activities, we are making sure more businesses benefit from these timely interventions.”

The curriculum included sessions on the Philippine MSME resilience survey results, the role of small businesses in economic development, and disaster risk reduction and management systems.

The program concluded with a hands-on workshop where participants developed their own business continuity plans with guidance from DTI staff and certified Negosyo Center business counselors.

DTI Region VI and SM Prime said they aim to foster a culture of preparedness and protect the region’s economic drivers from the impact of disasters.

The training supports sustained and inclusive growth across Western Visayas, where MSMEs play a key role in job creation and local economic activity.

The session is part of a series of scheduled rollouts across partner venues, including SM City Iloilo, SM City Bacolod, and SM City Roxas.

DTI Region VI said it remains committed to creating a business-friendly environment and championing consumer advocacy in Western Visayas.

Through initiatives such as the BCP Training Program, DTI continues to help local MSMEs become more competitive and resilient.