Inclusive, Competitive and Responsible Digital Philippines (Digital-PINAS)

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up 99.6 per cent of businesses in the Philippines, but despite being regarded as a lifeline of the Philippine economy, MSMEs face challeges that hinder them from growing to their full potential. Among these challenges is the lack of access to positive and productive digital technologies.

The Joint Programme (JP) on Inclusive, Competitive, and Responsible Digital Philippines (JP Digital PINAS), aims to help pave the road for individuals, enterprises and communities at the margins to close the digital divide.

Collaboration and localization lie at the heart of JP Digital PINAS. Through the support of the United Nations (UN) Joint SDG Fund, Philippine government agencies, and participating UN agencies, the JP envisions a digital ecosystem where every MSME owner, up to the country's last mile, gets ahead thriving, competitive, and ready for the boundless digital marketplace that awaits them.

© Remar Pablo/ILO

© Remar Pablo/ILO

The pathway to impact will be built on a three-pillar strategy to localize digital solutions for businesses especially in remote and underserved areas:

By making the digital economy more accessible, profitable, and inclusive for all MSMEs - which provide over 65 per cent of the country's employment - they are positioned at the forefront of efforts to develop a stronger, more equitable economy. The three pillars of the JP are designed to have a synergistic effect where improvements in one area reinforce and amplify impact in others.

© Remar Pablo/ILO

© Remar Pablo/ILO

Key outputs of JP Digital PINAS:

• Equip the target MSMEs with essential digital skills, knowledge, and tools, enabling them to navigate the digital landscape and leverage technology.
• Train businesses on digitalization and financial inclusion; support export value chains with e-commerce links.
• Operationalize hubs to offer internet access, e-commerce platform access, and business support services.
• Create feedback mechanisms for more responsive and accessible digital services.
• Advocate for policies and regulations that promote digitalization, encourage investment in capacity building, and ensure fair competition.
• Improve government capacity to deliver efficient and accessible digital services relevant to MSMEs, building on existing e-government initiatives.

Digital PINAS is a joint programme that supports MSME digitalization by addressing policy, regulatory, and systemic barriers to digital inclusion. It is implemented by ILO, ITC, and UNDP in partnership with the DICT and other government agencies. All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.

For further information, please contact ILO Manila via this email.