The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and ByteDance Philippines Inc., the operator of TikTok, last week (March 28) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the necessary digital skills and innovative online selling strategies.
Led by DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque and TikTok Shop Marketing Lead Franco Aligaen, this partnership is strategically designed to expand the market reach and accelerate the growth of local businesses by leveraging digital platforms to transform their operational landscape.
“The true strength of this partnership lies in its broad accessibility, making it easier for Filipino MSMEs to tap into new opportunities. This includes micro-entrepreneurs and growing businesses that use smartphones and ring lights to showcase products and access a wider audience. With the right support, platform, and resources, this joint effort will continue to fuel their progress,” said Secretary Roque in a news release by the DTI.
The MOU signing coincided with the launch of this year’s UNLAD LOKAL initiative. Building on the success of the 2024 Camp Asenso learning session, the launch of UNLAD LOKAL featured a graduation ceremony for the first batch of 33 local entrepreneurs from the National Capital Region (NCR) who completed an intensive two-day training.
The UNLAD LOKAL is a structured learning workshop that covers key areas crucial for online success. It includes seller center navigation for efficient store management, affiliate marketing education to boost sales through partnerships, and content creation strategies to engage customers through creative storytelling.
The program also emphasizes compliance with e-commerce regulations and ethical selling practices, while offering onboarding guidance to help sellers establish a strong foundation for long-term success on TikTok Shop.
Beyond training, this initiative enhances MSMEs’ visibility through promotional campaigns under TikTok Shop’s Buy Local, Shop Local campaign and other media engagements. Additionally, the DTI will orient TikTok’s micro sellers with the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Act, which provides valuable incentives and benefits to small businesses.
The UNLAD LOKAL will be rolled out across the NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, ensuring that no Filipino entrepreneur is left behind in the digital transformation.
With over 2 million sellers worldwide, TikTok has evolved into a significant e-commerce hub, where Filipino entrepreneurs are emerging as key players.
TikTok Shop Marketing Lead Franco Aligaen reaffirmed TikTok’s commitment to ongoing mentorship for local entrepreneurship even after the program concludes. “We’ve seen many small businesses grow on TikTok Shop, reaching thousands, sometimes millions, of customers. Through UNLAD LOKAL, we want to help even more MSMEs achieve that same success,” he said.
Driven by President Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda and supported by expert mentorship, advanced digital tools, and a thriving online marketplace, the DTI asserts that Filipino businesses are primed for sustained growth and poised to achieve significant success.
