400 entrepreneurs join Bicol MSME summit

Photo by Michael B. Jaucian

LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY, Philippines — Around 400 entrepreneurs, government officials, and business leaders from across the Bicol region gathered in this city on Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 Bicol Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Conference, which highlights business resilience and sustainability amid evolving market challenges.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region V, the two-day conference, which runs until Thursday at the Marison Convention Center, carries the theme, “Navigating the Shift: Building Resilient and Future-Ready MSMEs.”

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The conference features plenary sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and networking activities focusing on business continuity, digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation to help enterprises adapt to changing market conditions.

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DTI-Bicol Regional Director Dindo Nabol said the gathering aims to equip MSMEs with the knowledge and tools needed to strengthen their resilience and pursue sustainable growth.

“The MSME conference is more than an event—it is a movement to empower our entrepreneurs, strengthen their resilience, and guide them toward sustainable practices that secure long-term prosperity for the Bicol Region,” Nabol said.

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A One-Stop Service Lane was also opened during the conference, bringing together government agencies and private sector partners to provide business support services to participating entrepreneurs.

Among the participating agencies are the Food and Drug Administration, Small Business Corp., Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Government Service Insurance System, Land Bank of the Philippines, and PhilExport.

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The conference also features a Shared Service Facility showcase of locally made products and a Greening Lane Expo highlighting sustainable products, digital solutions, and homegrown brands.

DTI will also recognize outstanding entrepreneurs whose businesses have contributed to local economic development and confer the Bagwis Seal of Excellence on retail establishments that have demonstrated compliance with fair trade laws and consumer protection standards. /cb

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