DTI holds MSME forum for development and disaster resilience

June 1, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – More than 100 entrepreneurs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) participated a business forum on MSME entitled “Development and Disaster Resilience” conducted by the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) on Thursday, May 30 at the Elizabeth Hotel here.
The said forum was jam-packed with entrepreneurs, national speakers and members of the media.
The forum aimed to build disaster-resilient businesses in the Philippines by identifying actions that strengthen resilience of MSMEs, and providing technical assistance in strengthening resilience to selected MSMEs on a demand driven basis.
The forum also intended to support the government in strengthening and enabling an environment that promotes risk sensitive and informed investments facilitating knowledge-sharing at the regional level.
In her opening message, DTI-CAR regional director Myrna P. Pablo said that for the first time, the event will be composed of national speakers who will give new perspectives and helpful strategies for entrepreneurs in the region.
“We can learn from their programs relative to disaster risk resilience in the area of MSME development. This will be a big help and eye-opener for the MSMEs na nag-attend,” Pablo said.
Pablo also said that the business forum was attended by different agencies connected to the disaster resilience core group composed of and in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense – CAR; Department of Science and Technology (DOST); National Mapping and Resource Information Authority; Land Bank of the Philippines Calamity Rehabilitation Support Program (LBP CaReS); and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).
PDRF business continuity planning officer Nathaniel Vida Abigail Guiang highlighted the different MSME programs and introduced different workshops and trainings that focused on disaster preparedness in businesses like earthquake drills.
DTI-CAR assistant regional director Grace F. Baluyan led a Development Regional Action Plan workshop applying all the lessons they learned during the seminar.
 
Paul Brian T. Baldoza, UC Intern/ABN