23/07/2026
๐๐ฆ๐๐ก๐ฆ๐ข ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐, ๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐'๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐
ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat โ July 22, 2026 โ The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sultan Kudarat, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (PMSMED) Council, officially opened the ASENSO SK 2026: 6th Sultan Kudarat Provincial Business Caravan on July 22, 2026, at the Provincial Capitol of Sultan Kudarat.
Carrying the theme, "Navigating the Shift: Building Resilient and Future-Ready MSMEs," the three-day event serves as a platform to strengthen entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and enhance the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.
The celebration commenced with a vibrant motorcade from Tacurong City to Isulan and culminated at the Provincial Capitol, participated in by members of the PMSMED Council, government agencies, local government units, business organizations, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.
The opening program featured welcome remarks from Hon. Vice Mayor Atty. Arnold H. Armada, Municipal Mayor of Isulan, while Eduardo M. Duque, Acting President of the Sultan Kudarat Chamber of Commerce, Industry Foundation, Inc. (SKCCIFI) and Co-Chair of the PMSMED Council, acknowledged the participants and emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening the local business sector.
In his rationale, DTI Sultan Kudarat Acting Provincial Director Eddie S. De Asis, MDM, underscored the significance of ASENSO SK as a catalyst for empowering MSMEs through business development services, capacity-building initiatives, market access, digital transformation, and financing opportunities.
Board Member Jovita Duque delivered the keynote address on behalf of Hon. Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu, Chairman of the Sultan Kudarat PMSMED Council. In the Governor's message, the Provincial Government reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and supporting the sustained growth of local enterprises.
One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was the recognition of outstanding MSMEs and development partners, including the recognition of the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) 2026 Winners, whose exceptional coffee entries brought pride and recognition to Sultan Kudarat. The Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat was likewise recognized for successfully hosting the PCQC 2026, further establishing the province as an emerging center for quality coffee production.
The program also featured the awarding of Halal and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-certified MSMEs, recognizing local enterprises that have successfully complied with quality, food safety, and market standards, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
Another milestone of the event was the official launching of the Sultan Kudarat SIKAT Ka (Sining, Industriya, Kalakalan at Turismo) Trade Expo (SKTE) and the opening of its first-ever trade expo, providing MSMEs with a valuable platform to showcase locally made products, expand market opportunities, and connect with potential buyers and partners.
Complementing the opening program were a series of knowledge-sharing sessions designed to equip entrepreneurs with essential business competencies. Participants attended the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Training, Cybersecurity Orientation for MSMEs, AI for Digital Novice for MSMEs, eGov Super App Orientation facilitated by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Financing the Future Orientation, where financial institutions introduced available financing programs and business support services for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing MSMEs.
The successful opening of ASENSO SK 2026 reflects the strong collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, business organizations, and development partners in fostering a resilient, innovative, and future-ready MSME sector in Sultan Kudarat.
The three-day business caravan continues until July 24, 2026, featuring trade exhibits, business learning sessions, product showcases, financing assistance, and networking opportunities that aim to accelerate enterprise growth and promote inclusive economic development across the province.
