Zamboanga City – July 15, 2025 — In a strategic push to bolster the backbone of the Philippine economy, SM City Mindpro, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 9, held a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Training-Workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to withstand and recover from disruptions.
Held at the Ever-O Business Hotel, the workshop gathered nearly 60 participants, including SM tenants and DTI-assisted MSMEs, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainability, preparedness, and long-term business success.
The initiative is part of a broader national campaign to train 6,000 MSMEs from 2024 to 2027 under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DTI and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. The MOA underscores a joint mission: to make MSMEs more agile, adaptable, and future-ready amid growing economic uncertainties and climate-related risks.
Building a Culture of Preparedness
Opening the program, SM City Mindpro Mall Manager Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez emphasized the urgency and relevance of the training in today’s volatile business landscape. “This training aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of BCPs, their components, and how you can implement them effectively in your own operations,” she said. “Our goal is to empower your businesses to not just survive, but thrive—even in the face of adversity.”
Her message echoed a common concern among small business owners: how to future-proof their operations from disruptions such as natural disasters, supply chain breakdowns, economic downturns, or pandemics.
DTI: Resilience is a Lifeline
For DTI Region 9 Regional Director Engr. Al-Zamir I. Lipae, BCPs represent more than a technical exercise—they are a vital lifeline for entrepreneurs. “Business Continuity Planning is more than just a document—it’s a commitment to staying prepared, protecting your people, and ensuring your business can bounce back from any disruption,” he said. “This partnership with SM Prime reflects our shared vision of building a resilient MSME sector.”
Engr. Lipae also urged participants to take the training to heart, stressing that what they learn today could spell the difference between recovery and collapse when disaster strikes.
From Theory to Action
Resource Speaker Mr. Mark F. Infante led the technical sessions, providing actionable guidance on crafting and sustaining continuity plans tailored to each business’s needs. From identifying potential risks to mapping out recovery protocols, the workshop walked participants through a step-by-step process of embedding resilience into their everyday operations.
A Proactive Approach to MSME Empowerment
The SM-DTI BCP Training-Workshop is not merely a seminar—it is a strategic response to the growing need for adaptive business strategies. By equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools and forward-thinking frameworks, the program lays the groundwork for a culture of readiness and innovation within the MSME community.
More importantly, it highlights a vital truth: that building resilient enterprises is key to sustaining livelihoods, communities, and regional economies.
Catalyzing Economic Stability Through Collaboration
With MSMEs comprising 99.5% of businesses in the country and employing over 60% of the workforce, programs like this are crucial. The partnership between SM Prime Holdings and the DTI is a testament to how public-private collaboration can catalyze inclusive economic development.
As more MSMEs gain access to critical training and capacity-building programs, their ability to withstand shocks—and even pivot to new opportunities—will ultimately contribute to a more stable, empowered, and future-ready Philippine economy.
By investing in resilience today, SM and DTI are shaping a business landscape where local enterprises can stand firm tomorrow—no matter what challenges arise.