The Department of Trade and Industry – Regional Office 5 (DTI-RO5), headquartered in Legazpi City, Albay, functions as the principal development and regulatory agency for trade and industry within the Bicol Region. It carries the national DTI mandate of promoting inclusive growth and industrial development through local entrepreneurship, market expansion, and innovation support tailored to regional capabilities and resources.
Core Business and Mandate
DTI-RO5’s primary responsibility is to implement the Department of Trade and Industry’s national programs across the six provinces of Bicol—Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. It focuses on enabling micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive through services that foster competitiveness, provide financial access, and streamline business operations.
Product and Service Offerings
DTI-RO5 delivers a comprehensive suite of government services and entrepreneurship programs that support MSMEs and local industries:
- Business Name Registration (BNR): Assists new entrepreneurs in formalizing their businesses with accessible digital and physical channels.
- Negosyo Centers: Operational in all provincial and municipal locations, providing frontline services including business advisory, registration facilitation, and training.
- Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME): Offers structured mentorship from industry experts, enhancing managerial capabilities of MSME operators.
- SME Roving Academy (SMERA): Provides continuous capacity-building through seminars, business clinics, and technical support.
- One Town One Product (OTOP): Strengthens value-added product lines such as pili nut, abaca, and handicrafts specific to the Bicol region.
- Shared Service Facilities (SSF): Supplies modern tools and equipment to MSME cooperatives and associations to improve productivity and product quality.
- Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP): Equips young individuals with the entrepreneurial skills and tools needed to succeed in starting their own enterprises.
- Trade Fairs and Exhibitions: Facilitates exposure and market linkage for regional producers through local and national trade fairs.
Specialization and Core USP
DTI-RO5 specializes in leveraging the region's unique agricultural and cultural assets. Its distinct value proposition lies in its targeted support for the pili nut industry, where Bicol holds geographic and economic dominance. The office also supports the growth of local tourism-oriented enterprises, enabling the alignment of trade development with regional eco-tourism goals.
Financials and Economic Contributions
According to the 2023 DTI Performance Report:
- Over 25,000 business name registrations were processed by DTI-RO5 in 2022.
- Negosyo Centers in Bicol assisted more than 35,000 clients, offering training, consultation, and market linkage.
- SMEs supported through the SSF program generated an estimated ₱70 million in increased revenues post-intervention.
- The 2023 Bicol Regional Trade Fair featured over 150 MSMEs, recording sales of more than ₱12 million.
- The KMME Program in the region graduated over 600 mentees between 2020 and 2023.
These achievements underscore DTI-RO5’s pivotal role in enabling local economic development and reducing regional income disparities.
Shipment and Trade Facilitation
Though not directly involved in logistics, DTI-RO5 supports regional exporters by coordinating with the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau and Philippine Trade and Investment Centers abroad. Its programs have enabled local products—particularly pili nut derivatives, processed seafood, and handcrafted goods—to reach markets in Japan, the United States, and Europe.
Target Market
DTI-RO5’s services cater to a broad spectrum of beneficiaries, including:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and startups
- Established MSME operators
- Agricultural cooperatives and indigenous product artisans
- Youth and academic institutions
- Women-led enterprises
- Local government units and community development stakeholders
Capabilities
- Province-wide Program Implementation: Presence across six provinces ensures inclusive and equitable access to services.
- Agri-industry Specialization: Expertise in value chain development for pili, abaca, cacao, and coconut-based enterprises.
- Capacity-Building Infrastructure: Over 1,500 training sessions and 120 mentoring programs conducted annually.
- Product Development and Innovation: Technical support for packaging design, intellectual property, and brand positioning.
- Export Readiness and Market Access: Provision of consultancy and exposure to international trade events and buyers.
Certifications and Compliance
DTI-RO5 operates in full compliance with national government guidelines under the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032), and transparency protocols by the Commission on Audit. It also collaborates with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to ensure product regulatory compliance.
Customer Testimonials
“With the help of DTI Region 5, I was able to expand my pili nut processing business and gain access to advanced machinery through the SSF program.”
— Maria C., Entrepreneur, Sorsogon
“The training we received helped us understand quality standards. Today, we export our products to Taiwan and Korea.”
— Jose R., Handicraft Exporter, Camarines Sur
Major Achievements
- Development of the Pili Nut Value Chain Program, establishing Bicol as a premier global supplier of pili-based snacks and health products.
- Facilitated over 70 Shared Service Facilities across all provinces, increasing regional MSME productivity.
- Pioneered eco-tourism enterprise support, integrating craft products and local cuisine into tourist circuits.
- Recognized for Best Performing Regional Office by DTI Central Office in 2022 for MSME impact and program execution.
- Supported the participation of over 300 MSMEs in national and international trade expos over the past three years.
