The United Nations is spearheading a program to provide digital tools and training to at least 15,000 small businesses in underserved communities.
The UN and other partners, including the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), launched the initiative to promote digital transformation as a catalytic opportunity to accelerating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)..
The objective seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through improved connectivity.
The United Nations Joint Program on Inclusive, Competitive and Responsible Digital Philippines (Digital PINAS) will build a digital ecosystem for MSMEs in remote regions that face barriers to connectivity. The program will also provide training to help entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in the digital economy.
“Despite advances in connectivity and digital adoption, millions remain disconnected from progress. Women, indigenous communities, small entrepreneurs and those in remote areas still struggle with limited access to digital tools and skills,” said DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy at the launch.
“Digital PINAS is a declaration that we refuse to let barriers hold back our people. We are not just closing gaps; we are tearing down walls that have long excluded Filipinos from the opportunities they deserve,” he added.
With a total budget of US$5 million, the joint program will address policy, regulatory and systemic barriers to digital inclusion.
The Digital PINAS program will use a three-pillar strategy: capacity building, support for the establishment of Digital Transformation Hubs in at least 30 geographically remote and underserved areas, and advocacy for policies and regulations that will promote digitalization and encourage investment in an inclusive digital ecosystem.
“We are positioning Digital PINAS as a convergence point for integrated UN Country Team action to support a unified digital transformation agenda for the Philippines,” said Khalid Hassan, Director of ILO in the Philippines, who opened the launch on behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, Gustavo Gonzalez.
Digital PINAS is funded through the United Nations’ Joint SDG Fund, an inter-agency mechanism for strategic financing of transformative actions toward achieving SDGs by 2030.
The Fund is supported by the European Union (EU), which pledged an initial 30 million euros for digital transformation efforts across the developing world, including the Philippines.
“We envision this initiative to inspire entrepreneurs, especially at the margins to take advantage of technology and innovation to grow their businesses and build confidence to showcase their products and services before a boundless digital marketplace,” said EU Head of Cooperation in the Philippines Marco Gemmer
Farmer-entrepreneurs shared how simple digitalization efforts have helped their businesses grow. “We have farmers from Zambales who found a market in Manila by promoting their produce on social media,” said Mary Elaine Timbal, founder of the agribusiness startup Sakahon.
With a wider reach for their produce “our federation can now focus on strategizing for other things, like increasing our production to meet the demand created by our online presence,” said Fatima Ibanen, president of the Igbaras Federation of Farmers. UNDP Philippines News
