The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is being urged to strengthen protection for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), expand support for Filipino creatives and prepare workers for possible job displacement as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes key industries.
The proposals were raised by Senator Bam Aquino during a Senate finance subcommittee briefing on the proposed 2027 budgets of the DTI and the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG).
Aquino, author of the Go Negosyo Act, said MSMEs need protection from bureaucratic red tape and harassment in addition to existing government support such as financing, training and Negosyo Centers.
He proposed the creation of an “MSME Protection Desk” within the DTI to provide entrepreneurs with a direct channel for complaints involving unlawful delays, extortion or harassment by government regulatory bodies.
“We don’t have MSME protection because a lot of our MSMEs are also getting harassed unfortunately sometimes by government as well no…. ang hinahanap ng mga MSMEs natin hindi lang ‘yung suporta which we provide in different ways through financing, through training, through the negosyo centers… they’re also looking for protection because many of them feel that um again they’re out they’re on their own no kapag may nangha-harass sa kanila,” Aquino said.
He urged the DTI to formalize the proposed mechanism so small businesses would have an institutional avenue for assistance when dealing with regulatory concerns.
Aquino also called for stronger government backing for Filipino creative talents and local products seeking opportunities in international markets. He cited South Korea’s Korea Creative Content Agency as an example of institutional support for the creative sector and pushed for increased funding for trade fairs and export promotion.
He said Filipino creatives who participate in international events should have government support and a point of contact when they encounter difficulties abroad.
The senator also raised concerns over proposed fees and requirements for online sellers, particularly their potential impact on small businesses.
He urged the government to keep paid verification measures focused on larger businesses while allowing smaller sellers to participate voluntarily.
Aquino further raised the need to prepare workers in industries that could be affected by AI, particularly the business process outsourcing, semiconductor and manufacturing sectors.
He estimated that a 10% contraction in the BPO and semiconductor industries could affect about 100,000 to 200,000 jobs and said the government should begin preparing workers before displacement occurs.
He called for training programs that would help workers acquire skills for AI-enabled positions and transition to other employment opportunities, including roles outside the BPO industry.
Aquino said government agencies and industries need to coordinate on worker preparation rather than wait until jobs have already been lost.
“The BPO industry and the manufacturing, semiconductors and manufacturing have been supporting our economy for so long. But these industries I feel are also at risk. Any type of shrinkage for the BPO and semiconductors will be devastating for us,” Aquino said.
The Senate finance subcommittee endorsed the proposed DTI and GCG budgets for consideration by the plenary.
Aquino said he would push for additional funding for programs supporting MSMEs and the creative economy, including shared service facilities, Negosyo Centers and the Negosyo Center Online project.
He also called for greater support for DTI trade fairs and export promotion activities, along with measures that would strengthen protection for MSMEs and help industries and workers adapt to technological changes.
Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO
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