The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched the Bagong Pilipinas MSMEs Hub to showcase Filipino crafts and bolster growth in this sector, which is expected to hit PHP150 million in sales this year from PHP100 million in 2024.
DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona told reporters at the launch Thursday, Dec. 4, of the MSME Hub that the estimated PHP150 million sales for the year already accounted all the MSMEs programs of DTI.
In her speech, DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque urged MSMEs from Regions 1 to 18 to take advantage of this opportunity to be seen by potential buyers. The Hub is strategically located on the ground floor of the building along Gil Puyat Ave. in Makati where the DTI Secretary holds office because the office receives and entertain a lot of visitors from ambassadors to trade ministers, foreign and local businessmen. Visitors or groups can also hold meetings inside the Hub, which also features Auro Cafe, a homegrown coffee shop, where visitors can linger, connect, and engage more meaningfully with the stories behind the products.
“We are opening not just a retail store, but place of opportunity where MSMEs can showcase their best. This is also the place where they can possibly meet buyers that can change their lives,” said the DTI Secretary, who also started as an entrepreneur before joining the government service.
The 300-square meter flagship MSMEs Hub features the best of Filipino products at cheaper prices because MSMEs are allowed to display their products in a premium space free of charge.
The store features well-curated sections highlighting Filipino creativity and innovation from apparel and accessories to home décor, artworks, Halal-certified goods, coconut innovations, and specialty food products. Every display celebrates the craftsmanship behind the regions and communities represented.
Lighting, textures, and visual storytelling bring each product category to life, enabling visitors to appreciate how Filipino MSMEs have significantly leveled up through DTI’s trade fairs, design interventions, and upskilling programs.
The MSME Hub marks a major milestone in the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the country’s MSME ecosystem through enhanced innovation, wider market access, and deeper integration into national value chains.
The event also gathered leaders from government, industry champions, regional MSME representatives, development partners, and supporters of Filipino enterprises. The Hub will serve as a long-term platform for promoting regional products and building a more resilient, competitive MSME sector.
Testing ground
The MSME Hub becomes a testing ground for product improvement, a venue for brand elevation, and a stepping stone toward partnerships with institutional buyers and premium retailers. This structured access is complemented by reliable reporting systems and sales visibility—giving MSMEs clearer insights for production planning, pricing, and supply management.
This hospitality element reinforces the Hub’s role as both a market access platform and a community space that nurtures collaboration and conversation.
The Hub will evolve throughout the year with rotating showcases, regional spotlights, and thematic features—ensuring wider participation of MSMEs nationwide. The concept is designed to be replicable and scalable, enabling DTI to bring similar market-access platforms to more regions while merging it with the strengthened OTOP Hub implementation.
At the launch, DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Bautista shared: “The MSME Hub embodies the Tatak Pinoy Strategy—strengthening our ability to produce, create, and innovate globally competitive Filipino products. This space is not just a store; it is part of a larger ecosystem that supports our MSMEs through digitalization, diversification, and continuous mentoring,” said Bautista.
She also revealed plans to scale the Hub model across the regions and integrate it with the OTOP Hub network.
