Shopee Philippines and the Iloilo City government are shifting from one-off entrepreneurship training to continuous digital business development, launching a year-round program designed to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) build sustainable online businesses.
The expanded partnership marks the first time Shopee’s Tatak Pinoy MSME Roadshow has been integrated into a local government program, transforming what was previously a single training event into a long-term mentoring initiative.
Under Iloilo City’s Sustainable Income Generation Through Entrepreneurship (SIGE) Asenso program, participating entrepreneurs will receive quarterly coaching on e-commerce, logistics, financial management and business operations, alongside continued guidance as they grow their online stores.
The move comes as digital platforms increasingly look beyond onboarding merchants and focus on improving long-term business success, recognizing that many MSMEs require sustained support after taking their first steps into online selling.
“Meeting entrepreneurs in different communities gave us a clearer view of what they need when starting or growing a business online. Bringing practical training closer makes it easier for them to access support, but we also learned that continued guidance matters as they begin applying what they learn,” said Shopee Philippines Head of Commercial Jack Ng.
The expanded program builds on the Roadshow’s first year, during which more than 1,200 entrepreneurs across 20 cities and municipalities completed digital commerce training. Shopee said repeated requests from local governments for follow-up sessions highlighted the growing demand for longer-term mentorship rather than standalone workshops.
Beyond quarterly coaching from Shopee, SPX and Monee, eligible entrepreneurs who successfully launch their online stores will receive six months of onboarding support. Participants will also gain access to business registration assistance and government services from agencies including the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa S. Treñas said the collaboration strengthens the city’s MSME development efforts by equipping entrepreneurs with practical digital skills and continuous support.
Shopee said the Iloilo partnership will serve as a model for similar long-term collaborations with local governments as the Tatak Pinoy MSME Roadshow expands nationwide.
