DTI launches logistics concerns support center for MSMEs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday launched a platform aimed at addressing logistics and supply chain concerns of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

At a ceremony in Makati City, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque announced the establishment of the DTI’s Supply Chain and Logistics Center (SCLC).

Roque said that with the launch of SCLC, the DTI is aiming to lower logistics cost and make MSMEs more competitive and connected.

In particular, the SCLC will serve as a central platform that will provide MSMEs as well as their partner exporters, importers and consumers real-time, accurate, and actionable logistics and supply chain information.

The center will act as a support system for MSMEs to address their logistics concerns and connect them to appropriate service providers, which would effectively reduce transaction cost and enhance market access for them.

The two core components of the SCLC are as follows:

• SCLC Hotline (632) 7791.3100 - 7252 - provides real-time assistance on logistics issues, service referrals, rate estimates, and supply chain troubleshooting 
• SCLC Website/Portal (supplychainlogistics.dti.gov.ph) - integrated digital platform containing relevant supply chain data, service directories, logistics cost benchmarks, and decision-making tools

“Through the SCLC Hotline and Portal, MSMEs can now access real-time support for freight inquiries, service referrals, regulatory guidance, and more—right at their fingertips,” Roque said.

The Trade chief said the DTI will be establishing a “physical SCLC hub” within this year, noting that the project is a “phased effort” of the agency.

During the ceremony, major logistics and freight forwarders signed the statement of support for the SCLC’s establishment, which include 2GO Express, Airspeed, Cebu Pacific Cargo, PAL Cargo, DHL, f2 Logistics, Fast Logistics, FedEx, Flash Express, Grab Express, Lalamove, LGICT, LBC Express, Maersk, SMYPC, SCMAP, PMTLAI, and YelloX.

“Because we're 7,600 islands and we need to move the product. If we want to grow the sales locally, we need to be able to move the products. And the only way to move the products is to strengthen the supply chain and logistics,” Roque said.

“The bigger companies or the large, extra large, they definitely know what the importance of supply chain and logistics really is… but for the MSMEs, which comprise 99.5% of the business establishments, definitely they may not know exactly the business of the supply chain and logistics. So for us here in the DTI, and also because of the mandate of our President that we need to help the MSMEs and we need to really grow their businesses, we need to strengthen the supply chain,” she said. — BM, GMA Integrated News