DTI, World Economic Forum Collaborate on Future MSME Jobs

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hosted a high-level meeting to advance the “Future of Jobs Accelerator for MSME Development in the Philippines,” reinforcing the country’s engagement with the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Held at the DTI Boardroom in Makati City, the meeting builds on Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque’s participation in the WEF Annual Meeting in Geneva last January.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona, officer in charge, welcomed key stakeholders to the discussion. The initiative was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista of DTI’s Competitiveness and Innovation Group, Atty. Edwin Lacierda representing Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments Corp., and Prep Palacios, country director and head of industries at Google Philippines.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the DTI-WEF Joint Research and the Future of Jobs Accelerator Program. Till Alexander Leopold, head of inclusive economies practice at the WEF, and Steffica Warwick, lead for the Work, Wages and Job Creation Mission, emphasized the importance of technology adoption, workforce upskilling, and improving productivity among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The urgency of the initiative was underscored by the WEF Philippines Future of Jobs Workshop Report 2025, which cited technological change as the top driver of job transformation. MSMEs make up 99.6% of businesses in the country, contribute 45.5% to gross domestic product, and employ 67% of the workforce. However, productivity per worker in MSMEs is only 29% that of large enterprises in emerging economies like the Philippines.
The report also projected that by 2030, 68 out of every 100 Filipino workers would need training — 28 could be upskilled in current roles, 27 would need reskilling for new ones, and the rest may not require training, though some could miss necessary learning opportunities.

Insights were shared by Josephine C. Romero of the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corp. and the Private Sector Advisory Council–Education and Jobs Cluster, as well as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director General Nelly Nita Dillera.

DTI officials Assistant Secretary Grace Baluyan, Assistant Secretary Dominic Tolentino, and Director Emma C. Asusano presented current MSME development programs in the regions.

An open discussion followed, addressing key questions: What programs and tools support MSMEs today? How can these efforts be scaled? And what communication strategies can help expand their reach?

The Future of Jobs Accelerator for Philippine MSME Development is led by DTI’s Competitiveness and Innovation Group under Assistant Secretary Bautista, with technical support from Bureau of Competitiveness and Innovation Director Lilian G. Salonga. The program reflects a strong public-private partnership aimed at preparing Filipino MSMEs for the evolving world of work. PR