TARLAC CITY, TARLAC – To promote business preparedness and sustainability among local enterprises, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac, in partnership with SM City Tarlac, conducted a Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Training at the mall’s training room in San Roque, Tarlac City.
The event gathered 35 participants, including 19 mall tenants and 16 representatives from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the province.
The activity is part of the DTI-SM Prime Business Resilience Program—a nationwide collaboration focused on equipping MSMEs and mall tenants with the tools and knowledge to prepare for and recover from potential disruptions such as natural calamities, power interruptions, and financial setbacks. The program also underscores the importance of BCP as a strategic tool for ensuring the long-term viability of businesses, while encouraging greater involvement from both public and private sectors in strengthening MSME resilience.
“Our shared priorities between DTI and SM Prime Holdings drive this initiative forward. By working together, we can better protect livelihoods, maintain operations during disruptions, and contribute to sustainable economic growth,” DTI Tarlac OIC-Provincial Director Florencia Balilo said during her opening remarks.
“Let’s continue to support one another in building strong and resilient businesses,” she said.
The training featured lectures from DTI Tarlac and Negosyo Center facilitators trained under the national program. Participants were guided through creating their own BCPs, including identifying potential threats, safeguarding vital resources, developing backup procedures, and outlining recovery measures.
An interactive workshop followed, where attendees began drafting their continuity plans using standard templates. With the facilitators’ support, they assessed their vulnerabilities and formulated preliminary steps to mitigate disruptions.
“The seminar was very informative. I learned a lot about how to assess risks and put practical steps in place to ensure our business can continue operating during disruptions,” Natividad Yadao, one of the participants, shared.
In addition to the learning sessions, the event also served as a venue for MSMEs to connect and share best practices in business recovery and continuity strategies.
To ensure broader reach, DTI Tarlac will conduct another training for mall tenants who were unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts, reinforcing the commitment to make the program accessible and inclusive for all stakeholders.
