Mariano Marcos
State University

Laoag City, MMSU launch SHINE Innovation Caravan to boost MSMEs

By Anthony Joseph Duyao, 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘳

The City Government of Laoag, in partnership with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), launched the SHINE Innovation Caravan on August 5, at Laoag City Hall to strengthen support for local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The innovation caravan, dubbed SHINE—Sustaining Homegrown Ilocano Networks and Enterprises of Laoag City—carries a name that aptly reflects Laoag's identity, as the city's name literally translates to "shine," and it is widely known as the “Sunshine City.” Bringing together various government agencies and stakeholders, the initiative aims to equip local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with training, strengthen business operations, and connect entrepreneurs with financial assistance, innovation support, and enterprise development opportunities.

Through SHINE, local entrepreneurs were introduced to funding opportunities, technical and regulatory assistance, entrepreneurial capability-building programs, trade and business networking initiatives, and a live market platform where they could showcase their products, generate sales, and gather direct consumer feedback.

In his message, Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Alcid expressed the city government's support for local entrepreneurs to grow through continuous capacity-building initiatives and business support programs.

"In business, you should always look for possible opportunities, and the City Government of Laoag will always be here to support you by providing the necessary programs and training for our local MSMEs," Mayor Alcid said.

Representing MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, MMSU Vice President for Administration and Finance Fides Bernardo Bitanga emphasized the university's assurance of support to homegrown enterprises through research, extension, and innovation.

"I'm here to assure everyone that MMSU 100% supports the homegrown entrepreneurs of Laoag City and Ilocos Norte. We are making ourselves available and open to you. Explore our research and extension programs. We have the facilities and a strong list of experts who can help you develop and improve your products," he said.

The caravan also featured resource speakers from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Ilocos Norte, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Ilocos Norte, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Ilocos Norte, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ilocos Norte, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Ilocos Norte, Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Office (PGIN-MSMEO), and the MMSU Innovation and Technology (InnoTech) Directorate.

Participants received information on government livelihood grants, enterprise development programs, technology and packaging support, food safety and regulatory compliance, workforce training opportunities, market access initiatives, and business incubation services designed to help startups establish and sustain their enterprises.

Meanwhile, local businesses, including incubatees of the MMSU Technology Business Incubator (TBI), showcased their products during the caravan, allowing participants, visitors, and potential investors to discover locally developed products and innovative business offerings.

The SHINE Innovation Caravan is part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the City Government of Laoag and MMSU on May 4, aiming to strengthen innovation, capacity-building, and enterprise development programs that will help local MSMEs become more competitive and sustainable.