For many micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), knowing where to go for a permit, financing, training, or government assistance can be just as challenging as running the business itself.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) sought to make that process easier by bringing government agencies, financial institutions, and private-sector partners together in one place through BizAssist x SPEAk 2026: One-Stop Government Solutions for MSME Growth, held on August 20 at Mezzo Hotel in Cebu City.
The one-day activity brought together CCCI’s BizAssist and SPEAk (Sectoral Participation for Economic Advocacy) platforms. BizAssist gives businesses a direct channel to government agencies and their services, while SPEAk provides a venue for the business community to raise concerns, discuss policies, and engage government and industry stakeholders on issues affecting enterprises.
For MSMEs attending the event, this meant being able to move from one consultation to another without having to visit different offices across the city. Government agencies and private-sector partners set up booths where participants could ask about business permits and registration, tax compliance, financing, training programs, digital solutions, and other forms of business support.
Representatives from the Business Permits and Licensing Offices (BPLOs) of Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay City, as well as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), were available to answer questions and present programs relevant to MSMEs.
Private-sector partners GCash, PLDT Enterprise, and Top Bank Philippines also joined the activity, providing information on digital payments, connectivity, and financing options.
For CCCI Vice President for Business Advocacy and Policy Francis Dy, bringing these services closer to businesses is important because many MSMEs may know that assistance exists but are unsure where to start. “MSMEs often do not fail for lack of ambition, but because they do not know which office to approach or which existing program can help them,” Dy said during his opening remarks.
DTI–Region 7 Provincial Director Marivic Aguilar likewise highlighted the value of bringing different government services together, noting that initiatives such as BizAssist x SPEAK make it easier for businesses to find and access the assistance available to them.
Starting Right: Compliance, Capability, and Business Readiness
The morning discussions focused on some of the most common concerns of businesses, particularly permits, taxes, labor requirements, and the need to build stronger capabilities.
The four (4) participating BPLOs presented their respective permitting processes, documentary requirements, digital systems, inspection procedures, and efforts to streamline services.
The discussion also gave businesses an opportunity to raise practical concerns, including real property tax requirements, data-sharing between local government units and the BIR, temporary permit validity, digitalization, and the possible use of artificial intelligence in document checking and application processing.
DTI discussed the different stages of the MSME growth journey, from business registration and capability-building to product development, branding, market access, and digitalization. The agency also highlighted its Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program.
BIR provided guidance on taxpayer registration, filing, payment, and reporting requirements, while DOLE discussed labor standards, occupational safety and health, wages and productivity, and workforce development. The agency also presented the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE AMP), which supports enterprises preparing for economic disruptions and potential workforce displacement.
Opportunities to Innovate and Grow
Beyond compliance, the event also focused on helping MSMEs find ways to improve their products, strengthen operations, and reach new markets.
DA–7 presented programs supporting agribusiness enterprises, including value-chain development, market access, credit assistance, and the Young Farmers Challenge. The KAYA (Capital Access for Young Agripreneurs) program was also introduced as a financing option for qualified young agricultural entrepreneurs.
DOST–7 highlighted its laboratory and testing services for MSMEs, covering areas such as food, water, materials, furniture, calibration, and shelf-life testing. These services can help businesses improve product quality, meet standards, and develop new products.
Finding the Right Financing
Access to financing was another key concern addressed during the event.
Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) presented financing programs covering areas such as working capital, purchase orders, enterprise rehabilitation, business expansion, and modernization.
Top Bank Philippines also introduced its collateral-free microfinance products and encouraged MSMEs to consider formal financing options that can provide a more sustainable source of capital for business needs.
Preparing Businesses for What’s Next
The final session turned to workforce development and digitalization: areas that are becoming increasingly important as businesses adapt to new technologies and changing market demands.
TESDA–7 presented enterprise-based training, micro-credentials, and competency assessment and certification as ways for businesses to build a more skilled workforce. The agency also discussed available incentives and support for enterprises with registered training programs.
GCash shared its digital payment solutions through GCash for Business, highlighting how digital transactions can help businesses improve convenience and financial inclusion.
Meanwhile, PLDT Enterprise presented connectivity and digital solutions that can support MSMEs as they expand and modernize their operations. The company also announced its upcoming Breaking Limits: MSME Day in Cebu on September 30, in partnership with DTI.
Turning Support into Business Opportunities
The event also gave space to businesses that have already benefited from government and CCCI programs.
CCCI Trustee Ma. Aleta “Tatah” Dela Calzada shared her experience with DTI and CCCI initiatives, including participating in trade fairs, formalizing her business, and reaching new markets.
A video testimonial from JCV Wood Products showed another example of how government assistance can translate into practical business improvements. Through DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the company was able to explore the conversion of wood waste into briquettes, turning what would otherwise be discarded into a potential new product and business opportunity.
For CCCI, the value of BizAssist x SPEAK lies not only in bringing information to MSMEs, but in creating a space where businesses can ask questions, raise concerns, find the right people to talk to, and identify the programs and solutions that can help them move forward.
By bringing government agencies, the private sector, and the business community around the same table, CCCI continues to create opportunities for more direct engagement and practical solutions to the challenges faced by Cebu enterprises.
CCCI thanks its event partners, GCash and PLDT Enterprise, for their valuable support in making BizAssist x SPEAK 2026 possible.
