A series of weekly webinars gives fundamental ideas for MSMEs


PLDT Enterprise and PayMaya are spearheading the support to help MSMEs with a series of weekly webinars under the e-Commerce programs of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Empowering MSMEs to adapt in the New Normal. PLDT Enterprise and PayMaya, in partnership with JCI Manila are conducting the #UNBREAKABLETuesdays online learning sessions under the DTI's Isang Linggong e-Commerce Program to provide MSMEs with knowledge and information on how their businesses can further grow with digital technologies.

(1st row, L-R) Marvin Tiu Lim, Chief Growth and Developmental Officer of Mega Global Corp.; Raymund Villanueva, Director and Head of Growth Enterprise, PayMaya Philippines; Asec. Jean Pacheco, Department of Trade and Industry
(2nd row, L-R) Lt. Col. Richard Tamayo, President, JCI Manila; Vince Rodriguez, Head of Digital Payments and Partner Ecosystems, PLDT Enterprise.

Conducted in partnership with JCI Manila, the #UNBREAKABLETuesdays online learning sessions under the DTI's Isang Linggong e-Commerce Program provide MSMEs with key insights straight from industry leaders. Topics cover insights on how technology can help grow their business and new business opportunities to help augment their revenues. Participants also get first-hand access to the latest digital solutions, payment technologies, and business-in-a-box tools from PLDT Enterprise and PayMaya.

"Even before the pandemic, DTI forged a partnership with PayMaya to promote digital payments through our Business Name Registration System. We are grateful that this partnership has expanded with the generous knowledge sharing by PLDT and PayMaya experts on how to go or grow the online businesses of our MSMEs," said DTI Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco.

PLDT Enterprise and PayMaya are strong supporters of the DTI's various programs. Aside from the #UNBREAKABLETuesdays webinar series, both companies have participated in the Ctrl + Biz Reboot NOW Program for MSMEs. Since May 2020, over 1,400 MSME owners nationwide have benefitted from these online learning sessions.

"We at PLDT Enterprise are committed to helping MSMEs. Together with PayMaya and our partners at JCI, we aim to offer the best unbreakable insights on different business strategies and digital payment solutions to help them bounce back and thrive in this New Normal," said Chito Franco, VP and Head of Small and Medium Business of PLDT Enterprise and President and CEO of PLDT Clarktel.

PLDT Enterprise has introduced innovative solutions bundles founded on connectivity solutions that feature the newest fiber broadband service BEYOND FIBER and wireless broadband Smart BizLTE. On top of PayMaya, the bundles provide MSMEs with an array of add-on solution options to choose from, ranging from software, hardware, and services.

PayMaya Director and Head of Enterprise Growth Raymund Villanueva said: "MSMEs are the economy's backbone. That's why we continue to provide them with reliable, affordable, and innovative digital payment solutions that will help them serve more customers. We're proud to support DTI's vision of making e-Commerce easier for all."

PayMaya's support of the DTI's programs is part of its Sulong Negosyo campaign, which aims to help MSMEs jumpstart their recovery and growth through digital payments. As part of its roadshow, it has also supported various industry associations and organizations to provide free training sessions with industry experts to help business owners gain digital skills.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year, PayMaya introduced the PayMaya Negosyo app, allowing businesses to accept payments from anyone through PayMaya QR and bank or e-wallet transfers. Apart from enabling digital payment acceptance, the app also empowers MSMEs with "extra kita" or extra income by providing services like bills payment, remittances, and selling telco load to their customers.

Other PayMaya solutions for MSMEs include digital QR code for scan-to-pay transactions, payment links via social media and messaging apps such as FB, IG, and Viber, PayMaya Checkout Plugins for online stores using Shopify, Magento, or WooCommerce, and PayMaya One Lite device for face-to-face card and QR payments.