Iloilo City holds first-ever MSME summit, unveils new business support

Around 170 local entrepreneurs gathered as the Iloilo City government officially launched the first-ever Iloilo City MSME Summit, bringing together micro, small, and medium enterprises, government agencies, and industry partners for a historic three-day event centered on the theme “Bridging MSMEs to Knowledge, Finance, and Markets.”

The landmark gathering highlights the city government’s ongoing efforts to build a resilient and supportive environment for local entrepreneurs.

Delivering the keynote address, Mayor Raisa Treñas shared major economic milestones and unveiled visionary programs designed to strengthen the city’s grassroots business sector. She announced plans to introduce an accessible financial assistance program specifically tailored to microentrepreneurs.

“We will be giving loans para sa aton MSMEs and I want no interest and no collateral,” Treñas revealed. “I hope mapangitaan na nila (LEDIP) paagi, kaupod sang aton partner — ang (City Council) Chairman on Trade, si Councilor Rudolph Ganzon — pangitaan gid na nila paagi nga maipasar na ina sa council.”

Meanwhile, total business permit registrations, including new applications and renewals, as of June 2026 have already matched the city’s full-year total recorded in 2025. This surge in commercial activity is bolstered by the passage of the Nano Enterprise Incentives Ordinance on Feb. 26, 2026, which has already attracted at least 500 applications from aspiring nanoentrepreneurs, the mayor said.

To complement market development and strengthen vendor operations, the city continues to expand its capacity-building initiatives through the Uswag Negosyo Academy, which has produced 25 graduating batches to date, with ongoing classes aimed at preparing local vendors and small enterprises for long-term growth.

The mayor emphasized that the first MSME Summit is one of the city government’s initiatives to strengthen support for the local business sector and foster a more enabling environment for entrepreneurs to grow.

“We, in the Iloilo City Government, see you. We hear you. And we are with you. Your businesses are not small in impact. You are the backbone of our local economy. You create jobs, you feed families, you bring innovation to our streets and markets, and you make Iloilo a city of opportunity. That is why the City Government remains committed to building an ecosystem where MSMEs can start, survive, and scale up. We are continuously developing programs, policies, and activities designed with you in mind — not just to help you cope, but to help you grow and compete,” she said.

The three-day summit opened with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the MSME Services and Trade Fair and Merkado Lokal, organized in partnership with the Office of the City Agriculturist. The opening day also featured the official launch of the Iloilo City MSME Champion Program and foundational learning sessions on “From Idea to Enterprise: How, When, and Why to Start a Business.”

The Iloilo Mobile Food Community Showcase will also be held for three days at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, where visitors can enjoy a diverse selection of food and beverages from 18 local food truck operators while supporting homegrown entrepreneurs.

The second day of the summit focuses on “From Registration to Growth: Government and Private Services for MSMEs,” covering compliance requirements and strategies for business security. Afternoon sessions shift to “Empowering MSMEs Through Digitalization and Finance,” tackling key operational tools such as digital payment systems, e-wallets, financial literacy, fraud prevention, credit access, insurance, and investment strategies.

The final day, presented in collaboration with Shopee Philippines, shifts its focus to “Expanding MSME Markets Through Digital Access.” Industry experts will guide participants through the fundamentals of selling online, legal e-commerce compliance, platform growth programs, shelf-to-delivery logistics, and strategies for expanding into national and global digital markets.

Throughout the three-day event, delegates also have access to an integrated Services Fair featuring representatives from government agencies, banking institutions, and e-commerce platforms to assist with their immediate business and operational needs.

The summit was attended by Department of Science and Technology Region 6 Director Rowen Gelonga, Department of Trade and Industry Region 6 acting Regional Director Mutya D. Eusores, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo Chapter President Jerduen L. Dongor, Iloilo Mobile Food Community President Julix Moore Mendoza, Councilor Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, and other partners and stakeholders. (CITY HALL PR)