The Department of Trade and Industry recenty held the “FlexPinoy: Saludo sa Go Lokal! Retail Partners Appreciation Ceremony” at the DTI Head Office in Makati City.
The event recognized Go Lokal! retail partners and store operators who have made significant contributions to the continued success and growth of the innovative market access program of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP).
The outstanding partners presented with special recognition awards for amplifying the program’s success include: Enchanted Kingdom – as the first and longest Go Lokal! retail partner; Robinsons Supermarket Corporation – for the most number of Go Lokal! retail outlets, with 17 stores nationwide; CANDC Plants and Wood Crafts (Manila Canvas) – for their effective management of pop-up events and promotional activities; PopJunkLove Enterprises (Common Room PH) – for their social media initiatives promoting Go Lokal! and Filipino MSMEs .
All current Go Lokal! retail partners also received certificates of appreciation.
In her keynote message, Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona of the DTI-Regional Operations Group (ROG) mentioned, “In 2016, the visionary team behind Go Lokal! embarked on a journey to champion Filipino craftsmanship. Over the years, Go Lokal! has evolved into a beacon of hope and success for countless MSMEs. It has become a platform where innovative Filipino products and compelling stories meet the eager hearts of consumers, both locally and across the globe.”
Gracing the event to personally show their appreciation for the Go Lokal! retail partners were DTI-ROG Assistant Secretary Dominic R. Tolentino Jr., and DTI-ROG Assistant Secretary Cristina A. Roque.
DTI-BDTP Director Marievic M. Bonoan, the main proponent of the program, expressed her gratitude to the Go Lokal! retail partners, noting their support has contributed to the “nurturing and scaling of local businesses and industries.”
Through its collaboration with retailers and e-commerce platforms, Go Lokal! is a ground-breaking initiative that provides a free-market access platform for Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Launched in December 2016, the program was able to rollout 160 outlets nationwide, although only 112 retail stores survived the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September 2023, Go Lokal! has assisted and mainstreamed 517 MSMEs, generating PHP656.29 million in sales.
As a continuing program under the DTI-BDTP, Go Lokal! remains committed to empowering Filipino MSMEs and fostering a thriving retail landscape. It counts on the continued support of its partner-retailers for collective growth.
