Tagbilaran City, Bohol – Gearing MSMEs towards global competitiveness, the FISH Visayas Project in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Bohol Provincial S&T Office and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, capacitated a total of 42 MSMEs with a total of 119 trainees in a training program entitled “Empowering Local Businesses: Scaling Up for the Global Marketplace” on April 20, 2024, at the Activity Center of Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Lodged during the 2024 DOST Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW), the program emphasizes the commitment to equipping entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and skills to thrive in the digital age. Notably, the Philippines comprises 99.59% MSMEs, with 7.21% of these located in the Central Visayas Region. Collectively, these MSMEs generate 5.6 million jobs, accounting for 65.10% of the country’s total employment. Given the rapidly changing digital landscape, it is imperative to support MSMEs in adapting to this evolution, thereby stimulating the economic development of the Philippines as a growing nation.

Recognizing this, the training program featured two key segments focusing on “Utilizing Digital Platforms for Seamless Services” and “E-Commerce, Digital Promotions, and Marketing.” Effectively, the program engaged MSMEs in Cebu, Siquijor, and Bohol with the necessary skills and knowledge to embrace digital platforms and leverage effective digital marketing strategies.

Essentially, the following topics were covered: “GCash for Business: Empowering Communities the GCash Way” presented by Mr. Bryle Acedillo of GCash; “Small Town, Big Reach: Viber for Local Business” by Mr. Lerick Elipe of Rakuten Viber and Zee Pono of Grnd Up; “Level Up Your Product Packaging and Labeling with DOST” discussed by Ms. Vina Antopina of DOST Bohol S&T Provincial Office; OURStore.ph – Opening Doors to E-Commerce in the Visayas by Ms. Joy Lorena Segismar of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., and Paulo Uy of Online Retail Corporation; and “Fundamentals of Product Photography using both a DSLR Camera and a Smartphone” by Mr. Crisanto Etorma of Campo Santo Design Studio.

The success of the program was made possible through collaborative efforts between FISH Visayas Project Partners: DOST Region VII, DOST Bohol Provincial S&T Office, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and AFOS Foundation.

Moving forward, detailed and focused training programs will be implemented in each project area to further equip MSMEs with enhanced skills and competencies in effectively utilizing digital platforms. Ultimately, the market reach of micro, small, and medium enterprises will widen leading to increased and sustainable income.

—
The implementation of the capacity development program entitled “Empowering Local Businesses: Scaling Up for the Global Marketplace” aspires to achieve Result Area 1: Training for Fishermen and MSMEs, and Result Area 3: Market Access of the FISH Visayas Project.