MIMAROPA News | Page 2 of 3 | Department of Trade and Industry Philippines

GOVPH

Tatak Pinoy Milestone: Five Marinduque MSMEs Earn Halal and HACCP Certifications

In a landmark move for Marinduque’s business sector, five local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received their official Halal and HACCP certifications on April 30, 2025, marking a significant step forward for the province in food safety and global market readiness. The certification awarding ceremony, held at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continue reading : Tatak Pinoy Milestone: Five Marinduque MSMEs Earn Halal and HACCP Certifications

DTI strengthens enterprise support, returns intensive food safety program for regulatory success

Makati City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched the 2025 iteration of the Food Connect Program to capacitate more entrepreneurs in securing the License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Facilitated by the DTI MIMAROPA, in collaboration with the DTI Philippine continue reading : DTI strengthens enterprise support, returns intensive food safety program for regulatory success

Enhancing livelihoods and promoting food security: DTI MIMAROPA reintroduces intensive food safety program for MSMEs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – MIMAROPA, in collaboration with the DTI Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), launched the 2025 run of the Food Connect Program to capacitate more entrepreneurs in securing the License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Food continue reading : Enhancing livelihoods and promoting food security: DTI MIMAROPA reintroduces intensive food safety program for MSMEs

DTI launches PHP4 million project and Negosyo Center for fisherfolk communities and entrepreneurs in Linapacan, Palawan

Linapacan, Palawan – In an effort to support the thriving marine industry in Linapacan, Palawan, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- MIMAROPA, in collaboration with the local government unit, officially launched a Shared Service Facility and Negosyo Center in the 5th class municipality on 12 March 2025. The PHP4 million project aims to increase continue reading : DTI launches PHP4 million project and Negosyo Center for fisherfolk communities and entrepreneurs in Linapacan, Palawan

DTI MIMAROPA Highlights Key Accomplishments at Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas Event

Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – MIMAROPA, in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – MIMAROPA, capped off a media press conference on 11 March 2025, in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro to banner the agency’s accomplishments on consumer and entrepreneurial development. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), through continue reading : DTI MIMAROPA Highlights Key Accomplishments at Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas Event

DTI MIMAROPA transfers fish and seaweed processing facilities to coastal groups in Coron and Busuanga, Palawan

PALAWAN – In an attempt to cultivate and protect the marine industry in the Calamianes Group of Islands in the province of Palawan, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – MIMAROPA instituted two shared service facilities for fish and seaweed processing. The official turnover ceremony of the Bogtong Fish Processing Facility for the Bogtong continue reading : DTI MIMAROPA transfers fish and seaweed processing facilities to coastal groups in Coron and Busuanga, Palawan

DTI leads consumer awareness and protection through sustainability in MIMAROPA

MAKATI CITY – With the theme, ‘Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transition’, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- MIMAROPA region’s provincial offices and Negosyo Centers lined up activities in celebration of the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2023 promoting access to sustainable energy to consumers and other stakeholders in the region. DTI Oriental Mindoro continue reading : DTI leads consumer awareness and protection through sustainability in MIMAROPA

33 MIMAROPA MSMEs take spotlight in Panagbenga Festival trade fair

BAGUIO CITY — Following the success of the 2022 edition of the Session in Bloom trade fair in the City of Pines-Baguio City, participating entrepreneurs from the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Marinduque accumulated around a million in sales generated from the said fair. In this year’s edition of the trade exhibit, locals and tourists continue reading : 33 MIMAROPA MSMEs take spotlight in Panagbenga Festival trade fair

DTI MIMAROPA opens call for mentees for free online business mentorship program

MAKATI CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) MIMAROPA Region launched a nationwide search for entrepreneurs to join its annual Kapatid Mentor ME-MME (KMME-MME) program. KMME is a 10-week module mentorship program that optimizes weekly virtual interactions between the mentors and mentees with the key goal of boosting the entrepreneurial capacity of the continue reading : DTI MIMAROPA opens call for mentees for free online business mentorship program

Cacao farmers showcase Filipino chocolate brands at Valentine’s trade fair

ODIONGAN, ROMBLON — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) MIMAROPA Region’s provincial Valentine’s Day fairs made a return on February 14, 2023, assisting cacao farmers and student entrepreneurs in Romblon and Marinduque. In partnership with the local government unit of Odiongan in Romblon, DTI organized a multimodal mini-bazaar promoting the cacao industry in the continue reading : Cacao farmers showcase Filipino chocolate brands at Valentine’s trade fair

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#bles”]Blesila A. Lantayona[/su_lightbox]

Undersecretary and Supervising Head
Regional Operations Group (ROG)

[su_lightbox_content id=”#bles”]

Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona is the Supervising Head of the Regional Operations Group (ROG). As member of the Department of Trade and Industry Executive Committee headed by DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, she is expected to contribute among others, to policy formulation in the development of the country’s MSME sector, trade and industry particularly bringing to core the regional/provincial viewpoints.

Under her supervision are some of the key bureaus and offices at the Head Office including the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED), the Bureau of Market Development Promotions & OTOP (BMDPO), the DTI-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Management Office, and the Negosyo Center Program Management Office. She supervises as well the Department’s 17- Regional and 81- Provincial Offices ensuring that the policies, programs and projects of DTI are understood and effectively implemented at the local level where our offices serve as the face of DTI, providing critical frontline services to its customers as they personify the agency’s core values of Passion, Integrity, Creativity, Competence, Synergy, and Love of Country.

Prior to her appointment as Undersecretary, Usec. Lantayona held various technical and managerial positions within the Department. She started in DTI Region XI (Davao Region) as technical staff, then moved up as Provincial Director of DTI- Davao Del Sur and Assistant Regional Director of DTI Region XI. She was eventually promoted to Regional Director in DTI Region III (Central Luzon) and Assistant Secretary of the DTI- Regional Operations Group based at the Head Office.

From 2019 to 2023, she was designated as Acting Chairman of the Small Business Corporation, Ex- Officio Board Member of the Cooperative Development Authority, Board Member of the Philippine Guarantee Corporation and the DTI GAD Focal. In 2023, Usec. Lantayona served as the Chairperson of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSME (ACCMSME), a body comprised of high-level representatives from ASEAN Member States tasked to formulate policies, programs and activities on SME development and reports to the Senior Economic Officials Meeting under the mandate of the ASEAN Economic Ministers.

She also served briefly as Chief of Staff at the Office of the DTI Secretary under the leadership of Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque. Recently, Usec. Lantayona was

designated as the Supervising Undersecretary of the Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, a value chain-based and market-driven initiative of the DTI, funded by IFAD.

Usec. Lantayona holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, Major in Economics (Cum Laude) from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City; and an MBA in International Business from the European School of Management (Ecole Europeene des Affaires) in Paris, France as scholar of the EU-ASEAN Scholarship Program.

[/su_lightbox_content]

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#ablan”]Atty. Michel Kristian R. Ablan[/su_lightbox]

Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head
Management Services Group (MSG)

Department Legislative Liaison Officer
Liaison Office for Legislative Affairs (LOLA)

[su_lightbox_content id=”#ablan”]
Kristian Ablan is a career public servant, having been in government service for 18 years. He currently holds the post of Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head of the Management Services Group.

Prior to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
Mr. Ablan was undersecretary for administration at the Department of Education (DepEd), and assistant secretary and undersecretary at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

His other government stints were at the Commission
on Elections (COMELEC), Public-Private Partnership Center (PPP Center), Provincial Government of llocos Norte, and Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Mr. Ablan concurrently serves as alternate director at the National Development Company (NDC), and the Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PHILGUARANTEE).

Kris is a lawyer by profession, and holds degrees from Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines, the University of Auckland, and the National Defense College of the Philippines. Kris holds the rank of CESO I and is a 2021 Presidential Career Executive Service awardee for his work in freedom of information (FOl). [/su_lightbox_content]

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#roque”]Ma. Cristina A. Roque[/su_lightbox]

Secretary
Department of Trade and Industry

[su_lightbox_content id=”#roque”]

Ma. Cristina A. Roque currently serves as the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), where she is responsible for advising the President on trade and investment matters, establishing policies, supervising departmental activities, and ensuring effective operations across all DTI offices and attached agencies.

Ms. Roque’s leadership is characterized by her unwavering commitment to the growth and development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), recognizing their essential role in the Philippine economy. Her extensive experience in government and a 30-year entrepreneurial career uniquely position her to lead projects that foster a more inclusive and prosperous business environment for all Filipinos.

Before becoming the Secretary, Ms. Roque made significant contributions as Trade Undersecretary from February to July 2024. She led the MSME Development Group (MDG) and was instrumental in advancing MSMEs through various initiatives. She also managed key bureaus, including the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) and the Bureau of Marketing Development and Promotions (BMDPO), as well as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program Management Office and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Management Office (CARP-PMO). In addition, she supervised the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

Ms. Roque introduced groundbreaking initiatives like the OTOP Retail and Learning Center, transforming OTOP hubs and Go Lokal stores into dynamic spaces that blend retail with mentorship. She is a champion of the DTI’s 5-Point MSME Agenda that advances digitalization, market diversification, enhanced access to financing, franchising, and a strong focus on mentorship and training. Her efforts are reshaping the MSME landscape, driving innovation and creating more export opportunities for the Philippine market.

Expanding market opportunities for local MSMEs, Ms. Roque pushed for digitalization and e- commerce in the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair and Trade Fair in 2024. She also launched the first-ever Beauty Fair organized by the DTI, offering new support and opportunities for MSMEs in the beauty and wellness sector.

As Chairperson of the Small Business Corporation, Ms. Roque implemented new policies to make SBCorp’s financing programs more accessible and beneficial for MSMEs. She also launched the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas Marketplace, the country’s largest B2B e-commerce platform, which promotes Filipino MSMEs’ products and services both locally and globally.

Looking ahead, she plans to establish more SME hubs through the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers and in close collaboration with our Embassies worldwide. These hubs will serve as platforms to showcase and market Filipino products to international audiences, thereby stimulating the manufacturing sector and contributing to job creation.

Ms. Roque holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management Engineering with a minor in Chemical Engineering from De La Salle University.[/su_lightbox_content]

Portrait of ASec. Nylah Rizza D. Bautista

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#nylah”]Nylah Rizza D. Bautista, MBA[/su_lightbox]

Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head
Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG)

Supervising Head
Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM)

Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP)

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)

Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC)

[su_lightbox_content id=”nylah”]

ASec. Nylah Rizza D. Bautista brings over 15 years of expertise in commercial retail management, operational strategy, and stakeholder relations. As a former executive of Ayala Land and the Ayala Malls Group, she led transformative initiatives that enhanced foot traffic, optimized operational expenses, and drove sustained revenue growth across multiple commercial centers and malls. Her strategic approach to tenant relations and marketing consistently exceeded annual sales targets.

An advocate for sustainability and innovation, ASec. Bautista spearheaded redevelopment and renovation projects that enhanced customer experiences while driving overall revenue growth. Known for her organized, results-oriented leadership style, she thrives in dynamic and fast-paced environments, delivering measurable outcomes with a focus on excellence.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from De La Salle University Manila and a master’s degree in business administration from Ateneo Regis, Rockwell. Dedicated to public service, ASec. Nylah Rizza D. Bautista combines her professional expertise with a commitment to fostering a balanced and active lifestyle.

[/su_lightbox_content]

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#uvero”]Atty. Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero[/su_lightbox]

Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head
Fair Trade Group (FTG)

Supervising Head
Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP)

[su_lightbox_content id=”#uvero”]

Agaton Uvero is currently an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in charge of the Fair Trade Group as well as the Supervising Head of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP). He has previously worked in various capacities in the House of Representatives, Senate, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Finance (DOF).

Early in his career, he worked as an international trade manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers before setting up a consulting partnership which specializes in international trade, logistics and supply chain. He has provided advisory services and training for many of the Top 1000 corporations, multinational firms, professional and industry associations and business chambers.

He has worked on various technical assistance programs funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and USAID. In 2017, he authored the book “Understanding International Trade, Tariffs and Customs”. A lawyer and a licensed customs broker, he has degrees in Philosophy and Law (Juris Doctor) from UP Diliman and is an alumnus of East West Center (New Generation Program). He is a lecturer at the UP Law Center and Ateneo School of Law (MCLE Program) on topics such as international trade, tariff and customs.

[/su_lightbox_content]

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#gepty”]Atty. Allan B. Gepty[/su_lightbox]

Undersecretary
International Trade Group (ITG)

Supervising Head
Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC)

[su_lightbox_content id=”#gepty”]
Allan B. Gepty is the Undersecretary for International Trade Policy Group (ITPG) at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) where he supervises the Bureau of International Trade Relations, Bureau of Import Services, and the Strategic Trade Management Office. From December 2018 to November 2023, he was the Assistant Secretary of the DTI’s Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (IDTPG) where his main portfolio was on trade policy and trade negotiations at the bilateral, regional and multilateral level. He is the country’s Senior Economic Official at the ASEAN.

He also served as the country’s chief trade negotiator in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, considered as the largest free trade deal in the world. Prior to his appointment at the DTI, he was a Commissioner of the Philippine Tariff Commission. From 2010 to 2017, he served as Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the Philippines, and from January 2015 to October 2015 as its OIC- Director General. As such, he represented the country at the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). He is a lawyer by profession with diverse experience in international trade, intellectual property, public international law, commercial law, and litigation.

He is a Senior Fellow in Public Service at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at The Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. He finished his law degree from the San Beda College, Manila in 1997, and his Master of Laws degree from the University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2016. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce major in Economics from the same university, where he graduated Cum Laude in 1992. He is a member of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Sub Committee for the Revision of the Rules of Procedure for Intellectual Property Rights Cases. He is an active member of the Academe at the College of Law and Graduate School of Law. He is an author of a book, Intellectual Property Law Compendium. He is a recipient of many awards including the prestigious Presidential Medal of Merit from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and the Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela for Government Service both in 2023. He is a reserved officer of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) with the rank of Major.
[/su_lightbox_content]

LUZON

NCR

No post found
CAR

No post found
Region 1

No post found
Region 2

No post found
Region 3

No post found
Region 4A

No post found
MIMAROPA

No post found
Region 5

No post found

VISAYAS

Region 6

No post found
Region 7

No post found
Region 8

No post found

MINDANAO

Region 9

No post found
Region 10

No post found
Region 11

No post found
Region 12

No post found
CARAGA

No post found

LUZON

NCR

No post found
CAR

No post found
Region 1

No post found
Region 2

No post found
Region 3

No post found
Region 4A

No post found
MIMAROPA

No post found
Region 5

No post found

VISAYAS

Region 6

No post found
Region 7

No post found
Region 8

No post found

MINDANAO

Region 9

No post found
Region 10

No post found
Region 11

No post found
Region 12

No post found
CARAGA

No post found

Address

[su_gmap address=”Metro House Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave Makati Metro Manila” responsive=”yes”]
2F Metro House Bldg. 345 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Makati City

[su_button url=”https://facebook.com/” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#0e5aa0″ wide=”yes” center=”yes” color=”#fff” size=”7″ radius=”0″ icon=”icon: facebook-f” icon_color=”#fff” title=”Facebook”]DTI Region-XX[/su_button][su_button url=”https://instagram.com/” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#d40069″ wide=”yes” color=”#fff” size=”7″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: instagram” icon_color=”#fff” title=”Instagram”]@DTI.RXX[/su_button]

[su_button url=”https://twitter.com/” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#00acee” wide=”yes” color=”#fff” size=”7″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: twitter” icon_color=”#fff” title=”Twitter”]@DTI_RXX[/su_button]

A

No post found
B

No post found
C

No post found
D

No post found
E

No post found
F

No post found
G

No post found
H

No post found
I

No post found
J

No post found
K

No post found
L

No post found
M

No post found
N

No post found
O

No post found
P

No post found
Q

No post found
R

No post found
S

No post found
T

No post found
U

No post found
V

No post found
W

No post found
X

No post found
Y

No post found
Z

No post found

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#Sunico”]Jose Edgardo G. Sunico[/su_lightbox]

Undersecretary
Communications Group (CG)

[su_lightbox_content id=”Sunico”]

Ed Sunico currently serves as the Undersecretary for Communications at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). In his capacity, he develops and implements strategic communication initiatives to promote the department’s policies and projects, enhancing the public image and reputation of DTI.

Since taking office, Usec. Ed Sunico has developed and executed the 1-DTI’s Communications Framework, guiding all departmental communications and aligning DTI’s leadership agenda with the country’s revitalized vision of a Bagong Pilipinas.

Undersecretary Sunico concurrently sits as a Member of the Board of Governors of the Board of Investments (BOI), the country’s primary industry development arm and lead investment promotion agency (IPA).

Prior to his current roles, Undersecretary Ed had an extensive career at Unilever, where he led the Communications and Corporate Affairs function across Southeast Asia. He was instrumental in positioning Unilever as a leader in sustainable business practices, driving growth, and fostering a purpose-led corporate culture.

Undersecretary Ed holds an MBA and a BS in Architecture from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He was recognized as a University of the Philippines Distinguished Alumnus Awardee for Corporate Social Responsibility in 2023, highlighting his significant contributions to both corporate and public sectors.

[/su_lightbox_content]

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#pacheco”]Mary Jean T. Pacheco[/su_lightbox]

Undersecretary
Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG)

[su_lightbox_content id=”pacheco”]

A highly motivated, dedicated Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) with significant contribution and experience in public sector management, specifically in planning, monitoring & evaluation, performance management, public administration, and public policy formulation. As a CESO, USEC Pacheco is a 2015 CES VIP (Very Innovative Person 2015) awardee for introducing innovation and institutionalizing good governance initiatives in the DTI and a Gawad CES nominee in 2023. Last 2021, she participated the Lee Kuan Yew Senior Fellowship in Singapore and became a Lee Kuan Yew Fellow. Lastly, on 2022, she received two significant awards from her alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas. First is the Commerce Outstanding Alumni 2022 by the College of Commerce Alumni Foundation (Cocafi) in the field of government service as a graduate the UST College of Commerce and Business Administration. Second as one Of the Most Distinguished Thomasian Alumna conferred by the UST Alumni Association and nominated by PMT/CAT alumni association. And just recently, she was an awardee of Institute for Solidarity of Asia’s (ISA) 2024 College of Fellows as champion and leader of governance reform.

Appointed last December 6, 2023 as DTI Undersecretary, Usec Pacheco now manages the DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG).

[/su_lightbox_content]

[su_lightbox type=”inline” src=”#nograles”]Atty. Amanda Marie F. Nograles[/su_lightbox]

Undersecretary
Consumer Affairs and Legal Services Group (CLG)

[su_lightbox_content id=”nograles”]

Atty. Amanda Marie F. Nograles is the Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head of the Consumer Protection Group of the Department of Trade and Industry. Prior to DTI, she was also the Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs of the Department of Education.

Atty. Amanda graduated with second honors from Ateneo Law School. After taking the bar, she worked at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & delos Angeles and thereafter at Nograles Law Offices.

She graduated from Ateneo de Manila, magna cum laude with a degree in Management Economics. She is set to complete her Masters in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines by June 2024.
[/su_lightbox_content]

	USD 2,269,859M
Total Trade (2015)

	628,937.3
Population (in thousand, 2015)

	USD 2,431,969M
GDP (current prices, 2015)

	10 ASEAN members
Members