MANDAUE CITY -- Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are widely known as the backbone of the Philippine economy, but in a nation heavily exposed to natural disasters and climate shocks, surviving the storm requires far more than grit—it takes strategic preparedness.
To tackle this challenge head-on, key government agencies, business leaders, financial institutions, and development partners gathered at bai Hotel Cebu on July 23 for the National Forum on Strengthening MSME Disaster Resilience 2026, with the theme “Negosyong Matatag: Building Resilient MSMEs for a Sustainable Future.”
The national convergence held special significance as it marked the 10th anniversary of the MSME Resilience Core Group (RCG) that was formed in 2016 through a coalition among the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), PHILEXPORT, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).
The MSME RCG has spent the last decade shifting the business mindset from post-disaster recovery to proactive risk management. Over the past ten years, the coalition has localized its National Roadmap for Strengthening MSME Disaster Resilience across all 18 regions.
Key accomplishments showcased during the forum included; the Digital and Mapping Innovation: Geotagging over 300,000 MSMEs via GeoRiskPH, alongside tech solutions like Katatagan in a Box, the Payong App, and HazardHunterPH.
Capacity Building, delivering 61 resilience trainings in 2025 alone to over 3,000 MSMEs, helping hundreds develop tailored Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) through the Microenterprise Resilience Program (MERP).
To lock in this progress for the decade ahead, representatives from the ten core member organizations participated in a ceremonial renewal of the MSME RCG Partnership Agreement, recommitting to policy support, digital innovation, and community-level training.
The forum highlighted the multi-sectoral nature of economic preparedness, bringing together key insights through two high-level panel discussions and an interactive World Café session including Disaster Preparedness and Climate Adaptation with panelists including Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Bryan Ybañez representing the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VII, emphasized that business continuity must be integrated into everyday operations long before disaster strikes.
Financing resilience with financial experts highlighting the urgent need for accessible recovery funding, disaster insurance, and sustainability-linked investments to enable green transitions and faster post-disruption recovery.
Key leaders, including PCCI Vice President for MSMEs Melanie Ng and representatives from Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s office (PDRRMO), reiterated that building resilience is vital to sustaining local economic stability.
A centerpiece of the 10th-anniversary forum was the presentation of the inaugural "Negosyong Matatag: MSME Disaster Resilience Awards." Culminating a nationwide search that evaluated 112 nominees since October 2025, the awards honored enterprises that successfully embedded disaster preparedness into their organizational DNA.
National Awardees received a plaque + ₱50,000 Cash Incentive; Micro Enterprise Category--Domz Buko Pie. Small Enterprise Category-- Intal Garments OPC and Medium Enterprise Category went to Tropical Palm Herb Manufacturing.
Special Citations received a plaque + ₱15,000 Cash Incentive. Business Longevity (Parangal sa Matatag at Nagpapatuloy na Negosyo) went to Tinapayan Festival. Levelled-Up Business (Parangal sa Negosyong Nagpamalas ng Malaking Paglago) went to Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative; and Extraordinary Feats in Disaster Resilience (Parangal sa Pambihirang Kakayahang Bumangon at Magpatuloy) went to The VIP Hotel.
Timed alongside National Disaster Resilience Month and MSME Development Week, the forum reaffirmed the country's whole-of-society approach toward safeguarding local livelihoods.
As the MSME Resilience Core Group enters its
second decade, upcoming tools like the Early Warning System Simulation Handbook
aim to ensure that even the smallest Filipino enterprise can withstand both
environmental and economic shocks. (Photos: DOST7/DTI7)
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