The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has opened the Bagong Pilipinas MSME Hub at the Filinvest Building in Makati City—a flagship retail space designed to give micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) a free and permanent venue to showcase their products in one of the country’s busiest commercial districts.
The Hub was formally launched on Thursday by Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, who underscored the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs, particularly those from the regions who have long struggled to penetrate Metro Manila’s mainstream retail landscape.
Roque said the MSME Hub serves as a strategic intervention for businesses hindered by high operational costs, limited networks, and barriers to entering high-density commercial areas. She emphasized that the facility is free for participating entrepreneurs and aims to highlight not only their products but also the narratives and communities behind every business.
She noted that the hub is also the government’s response to the role MSMEs play in the Philippine economy, making up 99.5 percent of all business establishments and 60 percent of the national labor force. Strengthening this sector, she added, is essential to improving the country’s overall economic output.
Located on the ground floor of DTI’s headquarters, the 300-square-meter Hub offers curated sections featuring regional apparel, fashion accessories, home décor, artworks, Halal-certified items, coconut innovations, and specialty food products. The space is expected to become a testing ground for market behavior, product refinement, and brand elevation—especially for MSMEs seeking to scale up or attract institutional buyers.
Its design incorporates thoughtful lighting, textures, and visual storytelling to highlight craftsmanship from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Hub also houses a branch of Auro Café, a homegrown brand serving locally inspired food and beverages sourced directly from farming communities, allowing visitors to linger and engage more deeply with the stories behind the products.
Assistant Secretary Nylah Bautista said the hub reflects the administration’s Tatak Pinoy Strategy, which aims to strengthen local industries through innovation, digitalization, and mentoring. She added that the Hub is part of a broader nationwide ecosystem that will eventually link with the OTOP (One Town, One Product) Hub network, ensuring that more Filipino enterprises gain visibility and structured support.
Regional MSMEs can apply through their DTI regional offices to be featured in the Hub, provided they complete necessary requirements such as business permits and FDA certifications. Product displays will rotate throughout the year to accommodate enterprises from all 17 regions.
Beyond serving individual entrepreneurs, the Hub is expected to become a key stop for local and foreign investors visiting the DTI, offering them a direct showcase of the country’s diverse industries—from artisanal chocolates and handcrafted bags to designer clothing and coconut-based innovations.
DTI said the Bagong Pilipinas MSME Hub will serve as a model for additional hubs planned across the country as part of the government’s long-term strategy to widen market access, strengthen value chains, and support MSME competitiveness.
The Hub is open Mondays to Fridays, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (with reports from Aldrine Benitez)
