Filipino Microentrepreneurs Triumph at the 4th DFIA

Celebrating the role of technology and innovation in shaping sustainable economic growth, the 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards (DFIA) honoured Filipino microentrepreneurs and microfinance institutions (MFIs) who have engaged digital tools to grow their businesses and uplift their communities. This year’s honourees embody how financial inclusion can drive sustainable growth and create lasting opportunities for underserved Filipinos.

 

Jointly organized by the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) and the Citi Foundation, with the support of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the DFIA continues to champion inclusive progress through digital transformation. The awarding ceremony gathered key leaders and partners in the finance sector, including BSP governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr., Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila, and MCPI chairperson Eduardo C. Jimenez, who emphasized the importance of innovation in strengthening the microfinance ecosystem.

A total of seventeen (17) outstanding microentrepreneurs received ₱100,000 each in cash grants and brand-new laptops to help accelerate their digital journey. Representing diverse industries such as agriculture, food production, retail, and handicrafts, this year’s awardees are Josephia Azores, Roby Grace Bernabe, Mylene Bersabal, Carmelita Dapanas, RJ De Chavez, Ailyn Flormata, Raquel Lanaban, Gladys Maipid, Edna Maloon, Annalisa Monil, Lorlie Noblezada, Rosalie Orijola, Cecilia Oroc, Maricar Pagao, Danise Palmero, Niel Danica Polong, and Alan Romero.

 

At the institutional level, three (3) institutions were also recognized for their leadership in advancing digitalization. The awardees included GRF Hublag Microfinance Foundation, Inc., MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center, and Taytay Sa Kauswagan, Inc.

 

“Our awardees prove that the old narrative of digital tools being out of reach and too complicated no longer holds,” said BSP governor Remolona. “With simple yet innovative digital tools, such as online selling, QR payments, business systems, we are rewriting what’s possible for Filipino entrepreneurs.”

 

“The DFIA reinforces Citi Foundation’s mission to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities. We celebrate not only your business milestones but the lives you continue to uplift, as we all work together to build more sustainable, economically vibrant communities. Your entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation inspire us all,” added Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila.

 

Now in its fourth year, the DFIA continues to serve as a platform for recognizing Filipino ingenuity and the power of technology to open new doors of opportunity. The program amplifies awareness of how microfinance and digital innovation help create a more resilient, inclusive, and empowered nation.

 

The DFIA builds on the legacy of the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards, allowing Citi Foundation and MCPI to further advance awareness of how microentrepreneurship and microfinance drive financial inclusion and empower low-income Filipinos toward sustainable growth.

PLDT Global Achieves ISO Certification as it Caps Year of International Milestones

Reaffirming their commitment to global excellence, PLDT Global Inc. has achieved its ISO 9001:2015 certification, the globally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems. The certification, awarded by TÜV SÜD PSB Philippines Inc., underscores PLDT Global's strong focus on customer-centricity, operational excellence, and its ability to consistently deliver world-class connectivity and innovative digital solutions to Filipino communities and enterprises worldwide.

PLDT Global's achievement of ISO 9001:2015, which sets stringent requirements on quality, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement, marks a fitting capstone to a milestone year for PLDT Inc.’s international arm.

"This year has been truly remarkable for PLDT Global. Securing ISO 9001:2015 certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and global standards,” said Albert V. Villa-Real, President and CEO of PLDT Global.

“Every initiative and partnership we pursued reflects our mission to empower enterprises and Filipino communities worldwide. We remain committed to listening to our customers, continuously innovating, and delivering best-in-class services in an ever-evolving digital landscape. We dedicate these milestones to our customers who rely on PLDT Global to power their growth.”

A Year of Strategic Partnerships and Global Milestones

This ISO certification is the latest milestone in a year filled with strategic partnerships and initiatives that strengthen the company's position as a trusted enabler of growth and connectivity.

PLDT Global Corporation extended its partnership with stc Group, a digital and telco leader in Saudi Arabia, to deliver seamless, secure, and cost-effective international voice services, reinforcing PLDT Global's leadership as a reliable voice aggregator and trusted cross-border connectivity provider.

The company also collaborated with stc’s digital infrastructure arm Center3 to support rising demand for cloud computing, subsea capacity, and hyperscale data centers across Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Additionally, PLDT Global partnered with BBIX, one of Asia’s largest Internet Exchange providers, to deliver greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency to enterprises who are expanding in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

                                                                          

Beyond connectivity, PLDT Global expanded its solutions portfolio through a partnership with Multisys, a 2025 Stevie® IBA Company of the Year for Computer Software, highlighting the Philippines’ strength in delivering complex, enterprise-grade software solutions globally.

Shaping the Future Beyond Connectivity

The 21st Asian Carriers Conference (ACC), themed “Shaping the Future Beyond Connectivity.”, brought together global industry leaders to navigate how human connection remains vital amid rapidly evolving technologies that are transforming industries, and propelling innovation and sustainability. Together with the Philippine flag carrier Philippine Airlines and all telco operators in the country, PLDT Global showcased the country’s readiness to host  the connectivity and data center requirements on the Philippines.

PLDT Global, together with PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), and Samsung Philippines also led the ACC 2025’s corporate social responsibility program that focused on education and livelihood. The program included the donation of smart TV and tablets to Looc National High School in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, and FarmTech training kits to cacao farmers from the Cebu Diversified Advocacy Cooperative (CEDACO).

'Alagang Bossing' for Global Filipinos

Through Tindahan ni Bossing (TinBo), the all-in-one digital marketplace app for Global Filipinos, PLDT Global continued to expand its suite of offerings, reinforcing its mission to deliver borderless solutions that empower the global Filipino workforce.

This year, PLDT Global welcomed Vic Sotto as TinBo's first brand ambassador, bringing to life the platform’s promise "Alagang Bossing". TinBo’s growing ecosystem, enhanced through collaborations with merchants like Share Treats and Pluxee, introduced new offerings including e-vouchers for Philippine wallet top ups, cinemas, clothing stores, Christmas bundles, and Noche Buena essentials.

In Bahrain, together with the stc Group's fintech subsidiary stc Pay Bahrain, Filipinos cash in their Philippine e-wallets directly via the stc Pay app. Users can purchase mobile load and content subscription PINs and send e-gift vouchers— making it easier to support loved ones in the Philippines. These services are powered by Vortex, PLDT Global’s digital distribution platform that ensures secure and reliable e-commerce transactions.

Prioritizing OFW welfare

In 2025, PLDT Global further strengthened its collaboration with government and private-sector partners to support the welfare and communication needs of Filipinos abroad and those aspiring to work overseas.

In partnership with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, PLDT Global enabled zero-rated calls to the 1343 Actionline Against Human Trafficking via the Smart Virtual Number (SVN) through TinBo. Managed by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), the 1343 Actionline provides 24/7 assistance to victims of human trafficking and their families.

 

Through TinBo's SVN, PLDT Global also provided free calls for Filipinos affected by the Israel-Iran crisis, ensuring access to critical government services during emergencies without incurring additional costs.

For OFWs awaiting deployment, PLDT Global partnered with Staffhouse International Resources, one of the top recruitment agencies in the Philippines, to provide free six-month SVN. This allows OFWS to maintain a Philippine virtual mobile number overseas, receive OTPs from Philippine e-wallets, banks and government apps, make free calls to key government hotlines such as the Department of Migrant Workers–Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Hotline 1348, and receive calls and texts from the Philippines.

PLDT Global also joined forces with DMW and mental health organization Mind You to conduct specialized Mental Health First Aid training for DMW employees and contact center agents in observance of the Mental Health Awareness Month in October. This initiative equipped frontliners with skills to support distressed OFW, managing their own well-being and resilence.

Celebrating Filipino Pride Overseas

In June, over 10,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong participated in the four-day HK Fest Philippine Independence Day celebrations, led by PLDT Global-Tinbo in partnership with MQuest Ventures and Philippine Airlines. During the event, PLDT Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan was honored with the Gintong Alon Leadership Award by the Philippine Association of Hong Kong (PAHK) in recognition of his steadfast support for overseas Filipinos.

Nature Meets Wellness: PH to Showcase Healthy Products at Indusfood 2026

The Philippines will aim to deliver a strong performance in Indusfood 2026, presenting four capable enterprises with healthy, premium-quality products to the Indian market.

With support from the Department of Trade and Industry-Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), the Philippine exhibitors for this edition will showcase dried vegetable leaves, tropical snacks, crackers, and processed fruits. These offerings are produced through responsible farming and processing systems, with global certifications affirming their manufacturers’ compliance with food safety and quality standards. The producers draw from the country’s natural strengths—fertile soil, favorable climate, and established agricultural practices—to supply the global market with distinctly Filipino food products.

This participation is part of DTI-CITEM's efforts to create pathways for Philippine products in India, where demand for healthy and natural food continues to rise. 

This year’s exhibitors will be presented at the India Exposition Mart’s International Hall (Hall 1) under the FOODPhilippines banner, a CITEM-led industry branding initiative that promotes the Philippines as a dependable sourcing destination for food and ingredients. 

Innovative enterprises ready for global market

The lineup of Filipino exhibitors includes Dry Tech Manufacturing Corp., which will highlight ready-to-cook dried taro, moringa, lemongrass, and pandan leaves under its Sheentaro brand. The company uses eco-friendly drying technologies and responsible agricultural practices to produce natural, hygienic, pesticide-free ingredients suited to India’s plant-based market.

Also in the group is Monde M.Y. San Corporation, an accomplished Filipino biscuit and cracker manufacturer known for brands such as Skyflakes, Fita, and M.Y. San Grahams. The company uses advanced baking technology to maintain the quality of its goods and to ensure their production processes are sustainable. With over 90 years of experience, Monde M.Y. San will present its Skyflakes Snack Pack, Garlic Snack Pack, and Onion and Chives Snack Pack.

One Vizcaya Export Corporation will highlight sustainably sourced ube powder, calamansi, saba bananas, and fruit bars. Established in 2020, the company aims to supply high-value products that meet India’s growing interest in healthy fruit-based goods.

See’s International Food Manufacturing Corp., maker of Gold Chips banana chips, will feature snacks produced from freshly harvested Philippine bananas. The company highlights its products for India’s growing demand for premium tropical snacks.

Launched in 2017, Indusfood is one of Asia’s prominent food and beverage trade shows, providing a platform for exporters to connect with global buyers and widen their reach. Indusfood 2026 will run from January 8 to 10, 2026 at the India Exposition Mart in Greater Noida.

In addition to supporting enterprises in overseas trade fairs, DTI-CITEM organizes the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines, the Philippines’ largest business-to-business and export-oriented trade show for food, beverage, and ingredients. As the longest-running food sourcing event in the Philippines, IFEX Philippines spotlights premium products from across the regions and positions the country as a dependable supplier in the global market. Co-located within IFEX Philippines is the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) Exhibition and Conference, a platform that showcases innovations, facilitates knowledge exchange, and fosters collaborative solutions that support the country’s development of a circular economy. 

The 19th edition of IFEX Philippines will run from May 21-23, 2026 at the World Trade Center Manila in Pasay City, Philippines.

Register as an IFEXConnect exhibitor: https://citem.ph/p/6d5e50

Register as an IFEXConnect trade buyer: https://citem.ph/p/b426fb

 

Catch FOODPhilippines in the following trade fairs: 

 

· Anuga

· China-ASEAN Expo under PARTNERPhilippines

· China International Import Expo

· FOODEX JAPAN

· Gulfood

· Private Label Middle East

· SEOUL FOOD

· SIAL Paris

 

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). CITEM advances the country’s image as a premier sourcing destination for quality export products and services.  

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export promotion in partnership with other government and private entities