Lanao del Norte micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) recently received a boost in digital content creation and e-commerce entrepreneurship. This came through a training session organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Lanao del Norte, in partnership with PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).

Among the 30 participants benefiting from the program is Jimelyn Ronquillo, owner of AG2 Business Development Services, which specializes in franchising food products. “My current challenge is creating digital content, as I only have limited time to design posters and brainstorm ideas. I am grateful for the training because I now have the knowledge of maximizing the use of AI tools to promote our business, making it easier for MSMEs like ours to thrive,” she shared.

Under its eBizNovation program, PLDT and Smart provide capacity building trainings, covering digital entrepreneurship, AI 101 for MSMEs and internet safety, harnessing digital technologies to enhance the lives and livelihoods of communities across the country.

John Clifford Fernan, DTI’s Senior Trade and Industry Specialist, said, “It is important that when we produce something, we also promote it online. MSMEs need to familiarize themselves with modern ways of marketing their products to increase income and sales. If we don’t try to adapt, we will be left behind.”

The PLDT Group continues to partner with like-minded organizations to bring Filipino entrepreneurs into the digital economy. These efforts align with the group’s commitment to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG No. 1: No Poverty, SDG No. 5: Gender Equality, and SDG No. 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.