DTI Surigao del Sur

26/10/2026

SB Corp Releases ₱41.73 Million in Loans to 163 MSMEs in Surigao del Sur

Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), the financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has released a total of ₱41,734,326.20 in loans from July to September 2026, providing financial assistance to 163 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Surigao del Sur.

SB Corp’s financing program enables MSMEs to secure funds for daily operations, business improvement, and expansion. These efforts complement DTI’s enterprise development programs in promoting stronger, more competitive, and sustainable businesses.

MSMEs who wish to avail of SB Corp.’s financing programs may visit the nearest DTI Office or Negosyo Center for information, assistance, and guidance on available programs and application requirements.

26/10/2026

FROM THE SEA TO THE TABLE: EDISON LINGAYA’S JOURNEY FROM FISHERFOLK TO FOOD ENTREPRENEUR 🍽️

“Start with what you have, work hard, and continue looking for ways to improve.”

Born and raised in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, Edison L. Lingaya understands the value of the community’s local resources. His journey from fisherfolk to food entrepreneur is a story of perseverance, continuous learning, and the courage to turn a simple livelihood into a growing enterprise.

A National Awardee of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), Edison began his entrepreneurial journey through fishing. Through hard work, he gradually invested in a bobo mesh fish trap and a pump boat, strengthening his livelihood and building a reliable source of fresh seafood.

His entrepreneurial journey continued to grow through learning when he joined YEP Bootcamp for Young Entrepreneurs, conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry. Edison gained knowledge and insights that helped him develop his entrepreneurial mindset and see new possibilities for his livelihood.

In 2025, he took a major step forward by establishing Sutukil & Moree Restaurant along the National Highway in Poblacion, Marihatag. The restaurant brings together Edison’s experience as a fisherfolk and his growing skills as an entrepreneur. It serves fresh, locally sourced, affordable seafood dishes, with supplies coming from his own fishing activities and other local suppliers.

But building a business comes with challenges. Rising fuel costs and unpredictable weather affect fishing activities, seafood supply, transportation, and operating expenses. Instead of allowing these challenges to stop him, Edison continues to learn, adapt, and find ways to strengthen his enterprise. He availed financing through SBCorporation which supported his efforts to sustain and develop the business.

And Edison is not stopping at the restaurant. He aims to venture into seafood processing, developing convenient ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook seafood products that can be enjoyed at home or distributed to a wider market. Through this expansion, he hopes to add value to locally sourced seafood, reach more customers, generate additional income, and create more opportunities for his community.

Today, Sutukil & Moree Restaurant provides fresh and affordable food while contributing to the local economy and creating livelihood opportunities. More than a restaurant, it represents what can happen when local resources, hard work, learning, and entrepreneurship come together.

Edison’s journey reminds us that entrepreneurship does not always begin with a large investment. Sometimes, it begins with what you already have.
🌱 Start with what you have. 💪 Work hard. 📚 Learn along the way. 💡 Turn challenges into opportunities. 🚀 And never stop looking for ways to grow.

From the waters of Marihatag to the tables of his growing restaurant, Edison Lingaya continues to turn local resources into opportunities—building not only a business, but a future rooted in his community. ❤️

DTI Caraga

20/10/2026

SEÑYOR TACOS: FROM PASSION TO PURPOSE A KMME Success Story

Every successful business begins with a dream. For John Dave P. Lumanta, that dream became reality when he established Señyor Tacos in 2021 in Paplaya, Tandag City. What started as a small food business has grown into a homegrown brand serving Mexican-inspired dishes adapted to the Filipino palate, guided by its tagline, “goodness made from scratch.”

Offering burritos, Fiesta Boxes, Mexican Trays, and other Mexican-Mediterranean-inspired dishes, Señyor Tacos caters to families, students, employees, tourists, and event-goers. Through its mobile cart, the business brings its products to festivals, fiestas, bazaars, and community events across Surigao del Sur, complemented by social media, delivery services, and online marketing.

Like many growing enterprises, Señyor Tacos faced challenges in production capacity, storage, staff development, and digital marketing. Recognizing the need to strengthen his business knowledge and systems, John Dave joined the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program and graduated in 2026.

Through the program's mentoring sessions, he gained valuable insights into business management, marketing, planning, and decision-making, giving him a clearer business direction and greater confidence as an entrepreneur.

“Like many entrepreneurs, I started with passion but needed direction. The KMME Mentor ME Program gave me that and more.”
Inspired by his KMME experience, John Dave plans to improve production through better equipment, maximize storage space, strengthen staff capabilities through training, and establish a more consistent digital marketing strategy. He also aims to expand the brand's reach through continued participation in food fairs, festivals, and community events.

Beyond serving flavorful meals, Señyor Tacos contributes to the local economy by creating jobs and working with local suppliers, farmers, delivery providers, and event organizers.

Now a KMME graduate, John Dave moves forward with renewed confidence, practical knowledge, and a clearer vision for the future of his enterprise. His journey demonstrates that passion, when strengthened by mentorship and continuous learning, can pave the way for sustainable business growth.

Today, Señyor Tacos is more than a food business—it is a homegrown Tandag brand bringing global-inspired flavors closer to the community, one made-from-scratch meal at a time. 🌮❤️

DTI Caraga

19/10/2026

The Department of Trade and Industry-Surigao del Sur Provincial Office successfully conducted the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP): Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) on October 14–15, 2026, at Goldbar Hotel and Restaurant, Tandag City, aimed at equipping aspiring young entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and skills to start and manage their own businesses.

The two-day training provided participants with practical insights into entrepreneurship, covering key topics such as identifying business opportunities, understanding target customers, developing business ideas, marketing, business operations, and financial management. Through interactive discussions, workshops, and hands-on activities, participants were guided in transforming their business ideas into viable business ventures.

The activity also encouraged participants to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, think creatively, and build confidence in pursuing business opportunities within their communities.

DTI Caraga

14/10/2026

We are hiring!

DTI's One Town One Product program (OTOP)
1 OTOP Support Staff (Surigao del Sur)

Interested applicants should signify their intent in writing with the following documents not later than October 16, 2026:
1. Letter of intent;
2. Notarized and fully accomplished Personal Data Sheet (PDS);
3. Transcript of records (TOR).
4. Training Certificates

Submit your application to:
ROMEL M. ORIBE
Provincial Director
DTI Surigao del Sur Provincial Office
Unit 1, Tandag USM, Maligaya 1A, Tanabog, Rosario, Tandag City
or
email your application to [email protected]

We encourage all interested and qualified applicants, including persons with disabilities (PWD), members of indigenous communities, and those with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, to apply.

13/10/2026

From Small Beginnings to Bigger Possibilities: The Story of Marisa Food Products Manufacturing

Every small business begins with a dream. For Marisa Pardillo Padilla, that dream is to produce affordable, quality, and delicious food products while providing additional income for her family.

In October 2025, Marisa established Marisa Food Products Manufacturing in Purok Mahayag, Mindanao, Cagwait, Surigao. Starting on a small scale, she began producing crispy homemade banana sticks using fresh, locally sourced bananas.

Her entrepreneurial journey has not been without challenges. Since she does not own a banana farm, sourcing raw materials can be difficult. Reaching customers is also challenging, especially during the rainy season. Nevertheless, Marisa remains determined to improve her products and grow her business.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has supported her entrepreneurial journey by assisting her in improving her product labels to achieve a more professional, market-ready appearance. She was also given opportunities to participate in trade fairs, enabling her to showcase her products, meet potential customers, and explore new markets.

Through these opportunities and additional capital, Marisa has expanded her market reach. Today, she sells her products through direct selling and deliveries, participates in trade fairs, and displays her crispy banana sticks in school canteens and other local stores, making them more accessible to consumers. Interested buyers may contact her directly through her cellphone number or Facebook account to place their orders.

For Marisa, her business is more than a source of income; it is a way to help meet her family's daily needs while providing affordable and quality snacks to her community.

💛 Looking ahead, Marisa dreams of increasing production, reaching more customers, and developing additional product varieties. Her story demonstrates that with perseverance, proper guidance, and the right opportunities, even a small business can grow into something bigger.

🍌 From a simple homemade snack to greater possibilities, Marisa continues to turn her dream into reality—one product and one opportunity at a time.

DTI Caraga

09/10/2026

06/10/2026

06/10/2026