The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the domestic retail sector, has unveiled a comprehensive jobs blueprint aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of a sector that employs over 10 million Filipinos. A key focus of the initiative is to elevate the operations of the country’s 1.2 million sari-sari stores.
During the media launch of the “Section G: Job Blueprint for Wholesale & Retail Trade” on June 16, 2025 with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque emphasized the need to simplify the blueprint to ensure its accessibility and relevance to its intended audience.
Roque noted that with only three years remaining in President Marcos Jr.’s administration, there is an urgent need to accelerate the blueprint’s impact, particularly in generating quality and sustainable jobs within the retail sector.
She also underscored the untapped potential of sari-sari stores, referencing India as a successful model for their transformation. In India, small neighborhood stores have been given access to funding to diversify their offerings. “SB Corp has funds for that,” Roque said, adding that TESDA could also help by providing training for additional services that sari-sari stores can offer. There will be iilot sari-sari stores for the planned program.
Roque suggested that these stores must be creative and go beyond selling basic goods to include neighborhood services such as haircuts. She also mentioned that SB Corp., the government’s microfinancing arm, offers loans starting at PHP 10,000 to support such ventures at no collateral and payable in one year.
SB Corp. currently administers several microfinancing programs with a PHP 10 billion fund, including a PHP 1 billion initiative specifically for women-led enterprises.
The blueprint is built around six strategic pillars:
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Consumer Centricity
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Competitiveness and Coopetition
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Collaboration and Public-Private Partnerships
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Digital Transformation
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Human Capital Development
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Supply Chain Resilience and Integration
This framework capitalizes on the sector’s strength in household consumption, which contributes approximately 75 percent to the country’s GDP—estimated at PHP 20 trillion in 2024.
Industry Support and Next Steps
PRA President Roberto S. Claudio expressed strong support for the initiative, stating:
“This Blueprint represents our shared vision and industry aspirations, paving the way for businesses of all sizes to thrive and expand.”
SCMAP President Dennis Llovido echoed the importance of collaboration: “The Blueprint demonstrates the potential of strong public-private partnerships. Together, we can build resilient, competitive supply chains that benefit all stakeholders.”
Further details and strategic actions from Section G of the Jobs Blueprint will be presented at the highly anticipated MSME Summit, scheduled for July 15, 2025.
