The Department of Trade and Industry Region 3 (DTI-3) is helping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make their businesses more sustainable through training on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and sustainability reporting.
On August 12, 2026, DTI-3, through its Green Economic Development (GED) Program, conducted an Intermediate Training on ESG and Sustainability Reporting under the Sustainable Practices and Reporting Kickoff (SPARK) Project, in partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
The training brought together MSME representatives from Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. The participants learned how businesses can reduce their environmental impact, treat workers and communities responsibly, and improve the way they manage their businesses.
The training also introduced participants to sustainability reporting, which allows businesses to document and communicate their efforts and progress in areas such as environmental protection, employee welfare, community involvement, and good business practices.
Vincent Tan de Paz of GRI served as resource speaker for the session on ESG and sustainability reporting. Participants also took part in hands-on activities using the SPARK Template, covering the economic, environmental, and social aspects of sustainability. They applied what they learned through case studies, group activities, and presentations of their proposed sustainability initiatives.
“We want our MSMEs to see sustainability not as an added burden, but as an opportunity to improve their businesses. By adopting responsible practices, our MSMEs can become more competitive while creating positive benefits for their workers, communities, and the environment,” DTI-3 Regional Director Edna D. Dizon said.
The participants were guided by DTI-3 trainers and GED Focals, including Trade-Industry Development Specialists Jan Ricardo Pilarca and Gesyl Santos Dacanay, with support from the Provincial Directors and GED Focals from the participating provinces.
The SPARK Project is a five-year collaboration between DTI and GRI that aims to train 8,000 MSMEs in sustainability reporting and support 300 MSMEs in preparing and publishing their first sustainability report.
Through the program, DTI-3 continues to help Central Luzon MSMEs become more responsible, resilient, and competitive while contributing to a greener and more sustainable economy.
