Iloilo City, Shopee team up to boost MSMEs

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

ILOILO CITY — The city government announced Friday, July 31, a partnership with Shopee Philippines to help micro, small, and medium enterprises expand into online markets.

Under the partnership, MSMEs enrolled in the city government’s SIGE Asenso program will gain access to quarterly coaching from Shopee Philippines’ Tatak Pinoy coaches representing Shopee, SPX, and Monee.

The coaching sessions will focus on operating and growing an online business.

Successful program graduates will receive a six-month onboarding support package to begin selling on Shopee.

They will also receive continued coaching to apply what they learned and access information on business registration and related government services.

The partnership was announced during the final day of the inaugural Iloilo City MSME Summit organized by the city government.

The summit’s culminating activity featured the final stop of the first year of Shopee Philippines’ Tatak Pinoy Roadshow.

The roadshow began in 2025 as an offshoot of Shopee’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to help small Filipino businesses reach consumers nationwide and abroad.

The Tatak Pinoy Roadshow has reached 1,200 businesses in 20 cities and municipalities across the country.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the partnership would strengthen the city’s existing efforts to support MSMEs.

“Entrepreneurs need different kinds of support as their businesses develop. This partnership complements what the city is already building through SIGE Asenso, giving participants regular access to practical guidance that can help them start selling online or improve how they currently operate,” Treñas-Chu said.

Shopee Philippines Head of Commercial Jack Ng said the partnership would create opportunities for Ilonggo MSMEs to expand beyond their brick-and-mortar stores.

“What we want is to help you [MSMEs] build capabilities to extend your reach outside of Iloilo, to reach the entire country, and that’s what the MSME roadshow is here today all about,” Ng said.

“We’ll give you everything that you need, not just to get started, but also, to keep growing on Shopee, and we are deeply grateful for the partnership,” he added.

DTI Western Visayas Regional Director Mutya Eusores said the partnership would help MSMEs participate in the growing digital transformation of businesses nationwide.

“For our MSMEs, the message is clear. Digital transformation is no longer an option, it is a necessity, so those who are willing to learn, to innovate and adapt will be in a better position to grow, compete, and succeed,” she said.