SURIGAO DEL NORTE — Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Surigao del Norte and across Caraga are set to gain wider opportunities to promote their products following the launch of the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) on Marketing Support / Trade Fair System on September 17, 2026, at the City Gymnasium in Surigao City. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte, in partnership with the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SCCI), formally launched the project through a Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing). With a total project cost of PHP4,050,000.00, the facility was turned over to SCCI, establishing the partnership responsible for its implementation. The launch was followed by the opening of the Caraga Trade Fair and Exhibit, which brought together MSMEs and locally produced goods from different parts of the region.
Opening More Doors for Local Products
The new SSF addresses a common challenge among MSMEs: gaining access to markets and promotional opportunities beyond their immediate communities. Through the SSF program, qualified cooperators are provided with machinery, equipment, tools, and systems that can help enterprises improve productivity, product quality, and competitiveness without requiring substantial individual capital investments. Unlike facilities focused primarily on production, the new project places particular attention on marketing and trade fair participation. It creates a structured platform where local businesses can showcase their products and improve their visibility among potential customers, buyers, distributors, and investors. The SSF approach has also supported MSMEs and employment in other parts of the country. In the Cordillera region, similar facilities have benefited 2,154 MSMEs and generated 1,912 jobs. DTI has likewise continued expanding its SSF network in Caraga. Among these initiatives is the PHP150-million FSUU MIRACLE packaging and printing hub in Butuan City, described as the largest facility of its kind in the country, providing MSMEs with services for packaging design, label development, and commercial printing.
Connecting Caraga MSMEs to Bigger Markets
For local enterprises, the marketing-focused SSF can provide more consistent opportunities to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions. These platforms allow entrepreneurs to present their products directly to potential buyers and explore possible business and investment partnerships. The initiative is particularly relevant to enterprises in Caraga that may have quality products but face difficulties reaching customers outside their local markets. By improving their access to promotional platforms, the project can help local businesses build visibility and explore opportunities in wider commercial spaces. The initiative also complements other government programs supporting entrepreneurship and agricultural enterprises. Among these is the Department of Agriculture's Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), a national program that assists young agripreneurs aged 18 to 30 through grants, training, and mentorship. In Caraga, beneficiaries such as Anthony M. Buntag of Anton's Coffee Products Processing in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, and Maria Joy Santos, who operates a poultry venture, demonstrate how targeted assistance can help small agricultural enterprises develop into more sustainable businesses.
Supporting Jobs, Livelihoods, and Local Growth
The benefits of strengthening MSMEs extend beyond individual entrepreneurs. As local enterprises expand their markets and operations, they can contribute to employment generation, livelihood opportunities, and broader economic activity within their communities. For consumers in Surigao del Norte and throughout Caraga, stronger local businesses can also mean greater access to locally produced goods while helping keep economic activity within the region. Through the new SSF Marketing Support / Trade Fair System, DTI Surigao del Norte and SCCI are creating another avenue for local enterprises to showcase what Caraga can produce and connect with opportunities beyond their traditional markets.
