PLDT Group and Shopee  upskill MSMEs in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  PLDT Group has joined forces with Shopee Philippines to help micro-small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu to upskill and maximize opportunities for growth in the online sphere.

PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. and Shopee Philippines rolled out the two-day caravan entitled “Pilipinas; Aahon at Babangon” program, which aims to upskill local MSMEs in both cities to further their livelihood online.

Backed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7, PLDT and Smart trained over 100 virtual and in-person attendees on mobile photography, while Shopee presented opportunities to onboard local sellers to their e-commerce platforms to help boost their businesses online.

“Our MSMEs make up the largest portion of the country’s businesses today and the DTI is at the forefront of equipping our MSMEs in their digital transformation, thus helping them become more resilient and sustainable,” said DTI Cebu Provincial Director Rose Mae Quiñanola.

PLDT Enterprise SMBiz Visayas head Ma. Edna Francisco expressed commitment to reinforce DTI’s goal to empower MSMEs in their digital transformation “by presenting our push to enhance our services and innovative offers to enable growth among local businesses.”

When the pandemic upended local enterprises because of the strict lockdowns, a lot of MSMEs slowly shifted towards digitalizing their business operations.

Shopee seller and owner of Stitches and Yarns, Mabel Pagal, was one of the local MSME’s stories who shared her story with attendees, saying “I hope I was able to motivate my fellow MSME owners through my story. From having a side hustle to running a full-blown business now, I am thankful for Shopee for enabling entrepreneurs like me with a platform to reach customers nationwide.”

This digital upskilling event is under PLDT and Smart’s “eBizNovation” pillar that aims to boost the income and market reach of MSMEs, cooperatives, and other industries through technology.

This is part of the group’s wider commitment to attain the UNSDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.