Enterprise and Trade Development -ETD- MTIT Basilan Province

17/08/2026

PROACTIVE ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT: MTIT BASILAN AND LGU SUMISIP CAPACITATE 20 PESO MSMEs THROUGH 3-DAY PERSONAL INITIATIVE TRAINING

Lamitan City, Basilan | Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT) – Basilan Provincial Office, in strong collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Sumisip, successfully conducted an intensive 3-Day Personal Initiative (PI) Entrepreneurship Training on August 11-13, 2026 designed to transform local micro-entrepreneurs into proactive, self-starting business leaders.

The primary purpose of this capacity-building initiative was to equip beneficiaries with vital psychological and operational competencies—specifically self-starting behavior, future-oriented planning, and persistent barrier management—enabling them to identify untapped market opportunities, manage risks with structured action plans, and achieve long-term enterprise sustainability.

The activity brought together 20 MSMEs who are beneficiaries of the Propelling Enterprise and Sustainable Opportunities (PESO) Program, an initiative that provides startup and additional capital support to micro-enterprises following Islamic banking principles in partnership with the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines.

Throughout the training, participants engaged in comprehensive modules covering the 4 Ps of Marketing, unit cost calculations, resource bootstrapping, financial bookkeeping, and formal business concept pitching. Demonstrating unwavering commitment to grassroots economic empowerment, MTIT Basilan spearheaded the program design and technical instruction, bringing valuable development resources directly to Sumisip.

On behalf of the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Jul-Adnan P. Hataman, Atty. Yarah A. Musa, acting OIC Municipal Administrator, delivered an inspiring welcome message to the MSME participants. She emphasized their crucial role as drivers of local economic growth and urged them to leverage their newly acquired proactive mindsets to build resilient, sustainable businesses that uplift both their families and the broader community. Furthermore, Atty. Musa expressed heartfelt gratitude to MTIT Basilan for its dedicated institutional support in fostering commercial vitality and building a stronger economic foundation across the province.

Ultimately, this activity marks a significant step forward in nurturing innovative local business owners who are better prepared to adapt to market demands and sustain long-term enterprise success.
We extend our deepest gratitude to LGU Sumisip for graciously accommodating us throughout this three-day training, and we look forward to continuing our shared vision of economic growth, entrepreneurship, and community development across Basilan.

10/08/2026

STRENGTHENING LOCAL ENTERPRISES AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL | Empowering Women MSMEs for Sustainable Livelihood and Economic Growth

August 06, 2026 | Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) Basilan Provincial Office successfully conducted the Business Expense Savings Training (B.E.S.T.) Game at Brgy. Lower Binembengan, Sumisip, Basilan.

A total of 26 women MSME leaders participated in the hands-on activity, designed to equip them with essential financial management, pricing, and operational skills. This capacity-building initiative prepares them to efficiently manage the newly granted Solar-Powered Ice Block-Making Machine—a transformative asset co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the MODEL LIVES Project, in collaboration with the Autonomous Basilan Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABICCI) and the Lower Benembengan Agri-Fishery Association (LBAFA).

The program opened with a Welcome Message by Barangay Captain Hon. Abdullah Mujala and a Message of Support from Provincial Director Argie J. Sarco. Senior Trade & Industry Development Specialist (STIDS) Asriff G. Tindick delivered the rationale and co-facilitated the dynamic B.E.S.T. Game alongside TIDS Mohammad-Nour M. Husin. The activity concluded with the presentation of certificates and Closing Remarks from Chief-TIDS Hja. Jaida J. Tulawie.

Despite the long travel distance from Lamitan City to the Municipality of Sumisip, the MTIT Basilan team remains steadfast in its mandate to deliver impactful economic interventions directly to remote coastal communities. By pairing sustainable green technology with practical business education, this initiative ensures local fisherfolk have access to reliable, cost-effective ice production—turning local potential into lasting economic stability and community peace.

06/08/2026

EMPOWERING LOCAL ENTERPRISES IN BASILAN

Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Orientaion.

05/08/2026

EMPOWERING LOCAL ENTERPRISES IN BASILAN

Negosyo Center Lamitan City | Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism MTIT Basilan– Basilan Provincial Office successfully conducted the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) Orientation on August 4, 2026, at the Negosyo Center in Lamitan City, bringing together 20 local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from across the province to foster business formalization and unlock government incentives.

The program featured key leadership insights and comprehensive technical sessions designed to empower local business owners. Provincial Director Argie J. Sarco, PhD, delivered an inspiring Message of Support, while Ms. Miekko Maguliman extended a warm welcome on behalf of LEDIPO Lamitan City Mr. Joey Leonardo, and Mr. Asriff G. Tindick outlined the strategic rationale of the orientation. Technical discussions were led by BIR representatives Ms. Jeviegail T.S. Ong and Ms. Amalia Fe R. Ignacio, who detailed registration processes, tax compliance, and statutory exemptions, alongside Ms. Madzna A. Dompol, who presented an in-depth orientation on the benefits and eligibility criteria of the BMBE law.

Demonstrating the direct impact of on-site administrative assistance, two participating entrepreneurs from the Municipality of Sumisip—Ms. Naima Boddong and Ms. Nuray Nisal—successfully completed their registration during the activity and were officially issued their BMBE Certificates of Authority.

Following an interactive Open Forum that resolved pressing regulatory concerns, MTIT-Basilan Provincial Director Argie J. Sarco Ph.D and BPLO representative Mr. Lu Michael Raven Uy proposed joint plans under the Ways Forward initiative to expand multi-agency support forums across Lamitan City. MTIT-Basilan remains firmly committed to equipping local entrepreneurs with the resources and institutional collaboration needed for sustainable economic growth.

26/07/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐊𝐌𝐌𝐄-𝐌𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲.

MTIT Basilan extends its warmest congratulations to the 2026 graduates. By bolstering our local entrepreneurs, we contribute to creating a more resilient, self-reliant, and thriving BARMM!

26/07/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐊𝐌𝐌𝐄-𝐌𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲


𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍— Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) Basilan has successfully concluded the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME-MME) Online Training Program for Batch 2026 on July 24, 2026, at the Negosyo Center-Maluso. This initiative is part of the ministry’s ongoing effort to support and empower local entrepreneurs.

Aimed at enhancing the management skills, financial knowledge, and market access of micro and small enterprises, the extensive program included 16 rigorous sessions. Participants engaged in structured learning modules focused on business operations, marketing tactics, and financial management, with personalized mentorship throughout the course. The program wrapped up with each mentee showcasing a strategic Business Improvement Plan (BIP) before a panel of industry judges.


This graduating batch consisted of eight determined mentees from Basilan:

4 Mentees from Maluso
• Normina Daud – JAS Tambayan Restaurant
• Anwar Alihasan – JAS Store
• Saddam Barang – Ameere Store
• Alsimar Abdullah – Golden Prime Oil Store

4 Mentees from Lamitan City
• Totong M. Kibong – Kuya Joe Restaurant
• Jerico M. Democrito – Bueno Ciudad Event Catering Services
• Salman Abdurahim – Solar Panel Trading
• Muamal Ismael – Alisha Grapx Printing Services

The virtual culmination ceremony was organized by the MTIT Regional Office, linking MSMEs, local government partners, and stakeholders from all provinces within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Emphasizing the strong collaboration between local governance and provincial trade advancement, Mr. Qamar Hataman, HRMO of the Maluso-LGU, represented Municipal Mayor Kaiser Hataman to convey a key message of support, reiterating the local government's dedication to maintaining a business-friendly atmosphere that supports MTIT's capacity-building initiatives.

MTIT Basilan extends its warmest congratulations to the 2026 graduates. By bolstering our local entrepreneurs, we contribute to creating a more resilient, self-reliant, and thriving BARMM!

01/07/2026

Empowering Bangsamoro Entrepreneurs: BNR/B.O.S.S. and PESO Program Orientation at PILAS ISLAND, HADJI MUHTAMAD, BASILAN

01/07/2026

Empowering Bangsamoro Entrepreneurs: BNR/B.O.S.S. and PESO Program Orientation

PILAS ISLAND, HADJI MUHTAMAD, BASILAN — June 30, 2026 | Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism MTIT Basilan (MTIT) Basilan, through the Enterprise and Trade Development (ETD) Section, successfully conducted an orientation program for local entrepreneurs. This initiative was held in collaboration with the Trade Regulations and Consumer Protection (TRCP) Section and the Business Permit and Licence Office (BPLO) of the Municipality of Hji. Muhtamad.

The primary highlight of the orientation was the promotion of the PESO Program in partnership with Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines. The session centered heavily on advancing Shari'ah-compliant Islamic Financing across the Bangsamoro region through Al-Amanah Bank's product, a dedicated financing window structured to support local merchants with interest-free, ethical capital.

Simultaneously, the TRCP Section conducted a highly successful Business Name Registration (BNR) drive. The on-site service facilitated the immediate and successful registration of 24 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—comprising 22 free registrations under Barangay Scope and 2 under National Scope.

By bridging the gap between formal business registration and specialized Islamic financial services, this collaborative outreach drives economic inclusivity, empowers ethical entrepreneurship, and fosters long-term community development in Basilan.

12/06/2026