BALANGA CITY – About 35 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bataan participated in a business seminar organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at Lou-is Resort and Restaurant in Balanga City.
Dubbed “Negosyo Upgrade: Fund Right, Franchise Smart, and Think AI,” the activity aimed to equip MSMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on financing options, franchising opportunities, and the use of artificial intelligence to upgrade and future-proof their businesses.
DTI Bataan Provincial Director Eileen Ocampo said the seminar supports the five-point agenda of DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, which drives the agency’s efforts to build a more competitive and resilient business sector.
“For today’s seminar, we zero in on three agenda points: financing, franchising, and digitalization and AI. Our goal is to equip you with practical tools—tools that are not just informative, but actionable. Tools you can use to adapt, grow, and sustain your businesses in this fast-changing landscape,” Ocampo emphasized.
Acting Division Chief Teresita Magtanong underscored the importance of the activity in guiding MSMEs to identify the right financial programs and services that suit their business needs.
“Nakasama po natin ang ating mga partners tulad ng Landbank of the Philippines, SBCorp, RCBC, at iba pa na nag-present ng kanilang financing services at iba pang programa para sa ating MSMEs. Nandito rin ang ilan sa ating MSMEDC members tulad ng PCEDO at DOST upang makatulong at makapagbigay ng kasagutan sa iba pang pangangailangan sa negosyo ng ating mga MSMEs,” she said.
Magtanong also thanked the participants for their support, expressing hope that the seminar would help them grow their enterprises and contribute to the overall development of the province.
One of the participants, Angelina Mae Cubales, owner of Blessed Lads Bakeshop and a member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bataan, shared that she gained valuable insights from the discussions and presentations.
“As a local business in Bataan, I learned that there are many support programs available in the province and in Balanga City for small enterprises like ours. I also realized the big opportunity in franchising if we want to expand. We are really grateful to DTI Bataan for providing seminars like this that empower local businesses,” she added.
Topics discussed by representatives from various institutions included Small Business Corporation’s Where MSMEs Go to Grow, Loan Windows for MSMEs, How to Invest in the Right Franchise, AI for MSMEs, GCash for Business, and Financial Literacy and Negosyo Bundle. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)