MANILA(June 9) — The government and the private sector have strengthened efforts to support women entrepreneurs after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and WomenBizPH signed a six-year agreement aimed at expanding opportunities for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The memorandum of agreement, signed Monday, seeks to provide women entrepreneurs with greater access to financing, training, mentorship, market opportunities, and business networking programs.
Under the partnership, the DTI will offer capacity-building programs, slots in trade fairs and exhibits, participation in regional and international business forums, and access to financing through its Negosyo Centers. In turn, WomenBizPH will establish regional representation, provide updates on industry trends and challenges affecting women entrepreneurs, and develop a mentorship hotline for women-led businesses.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque emphasized the importance of empowering women to contribute to household income and economic stability.
She noted that families benefit when both parents or partners are earning, helping improve living conditions, education opportunities, and financial security.
Roque also highlighted that women’s economic empowerment is among the priorities of the Philippines as chair of the 2026 ASEAN Summit, creating opportunities to showcase and support women-led enterprises on a regional scale.
For her part, WomenBizPH President Rosemarie Bosch-Ong said the agreement builds on earlier partnerships between the organization and the DTI dating back to 2017.
She stressed that MSMEs remain the backbone of the Philippine economy and that women entrepreneurs need access to knowledge, networks, and markets to help their businesses grow and compete locally and internationally.
Ong also underscored the role of technology in helping small businesses expand and become more efficient, particularly as digital transformation reshapes the business landscape.
The initiative complements ongoing private-sector efforts to support MSMEs. Recently, Converge ICT Solutions launched its BizFriend Rewards program, designed to provide SME clients with connectivity solutions, rewards, and growth opportunities.
According to Dindo Marzan, the company currently serves about 80,000 SME clients and aims to grow that number to 100,000 by the end of 2026 through programs that help entrepreneurs scale and succeed.
The DTI-WomenBizPH partnership is expected to further strengthen support systems for women-owned enterprises, helping them adapt to changing market demands, embrace digital innovation, and contribute more significantly to economic growth.
