DTI, TikTok Partner to Boost Filipino MSMEs

The Department of Trade and Industry and TikTok formalized a digital collaboration aimed at empowering Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, through online selling strategies and targeted skills training.

The memorandum of understanding was signed March 28 by DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque and TikTok Shop Director Paolo Lorenzo David, laying the groundwork for MSMEs to tap into TikTok’s e-commerce capabilities.

“The true strength of this partnership lies in its broad accessibility, making it easier for Filipino MSMEs to tap into new opportunities,” Roque said during the ceremony.

“This includes micro-entrepreneurs and growing businesses that use smartphones and ring lights to showcase products and access a wider audience,” she added.

The initiative coincided with the launch of the 2025 UNLAD LOKAL campaign, which builds on the 2024 Camp Asenso learning series.

At the event, 33 entrepreneurs from the National Capital Region graduated from a two-day training session under UNLAD LOKAL.

The program offers structured learning modules that cover seller center operations, affiliate marketing, content creation, compliance with e-commerce regulations, and ethical selling practices.

It also provides onboarding support for TikTok Shop, aiming to equip entrepreneurs with the tools needed for long-term digital success.

TikTok Shop Marketing Lead Franco Aligaen said the platform remains committed to helping MSMEs scale their operations.

“We’ve seen many small businesses grow on TikTok Shop, reaching thousands, sometimes millions, of customers,” Aligaen said.

“Through UNLAD LOKAL, we want to help even more MSMEs achieve that same success,” he added.

The DTI will also introduce micro sellers on the platform to the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Act, a law that offers incentives to small businesses, such as tax exemptions and access to credit.

The collaboration includes promotional support under TikTok’s “Buy Local, Shop Local” campaign, which boosts seller visibility and community engagement.

According to TikTok, more than 2 million global sellers use the platform, and Filipino entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly active players in the digital marketplace.

The program aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, which emphasizes innovation, inclusive economic growth, and digital transformation.

The DTI confirmed that the UNLAD LOKAL initiative will expand nationwide, covering Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

By leveraging social media and technology, the partnership aims to transform traditional businesses into resilient digital enterprises.