UP ISSI Launches WISE Program in Kabankalan City, Equips 44 Pinaypreneurs for Sustainable and Resilient Enterprises
The University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI), with support from the UP Diliman Extension Grant (EG) and in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)–Negros Occidental, Negosyo Center Kabankalan City, and the City Government of Kabankalan, conducted the Women in Sustainable Enterprises (WISE) Program: Enterprise Development, Business Continuity and Resilience Planning for Pinaypreneurs from 27 to 29 October 2026 at Zaycoland Resort in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The three-day program brought together 44 Pinaypreneurs representing the food and beverage, manufacturing, agri-processing, travel and tours, and health and wellness sectors. Through learning sessions, hands-on exercises and planning activities, the participants explored practical approaches to strengthening business resilience, improving productivity, and integrating sustainability into their operations.
The program covered six key topics: Entrepreneurship and Leadership; Navigating Entrepreneurship through the Gender Lens; Unlocking Personal Brand Potential; Enterprise Development and Digital Management; Sustainability for Pinaypreneurs; and Gender-Responsive Business Continuity and Resilience Planning.
DTI–Negros Occidental Provincial Director Engr. Lynna Joy B. Cardinal delivered the welcome message, followed by a video message of support from Ms. Ryce Ruangkhao Chanchai, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Gender Advisor.
Ms. Joanna Rose T. Laddaran, WISE Project Leader and Head of the UP ISSI’s Training and Entrepreneurship Education Division (TEED), presented the program overview and facilitated sessions on gender-responsive business continuity and resilience planning. Ms. Allysa Anne De Guzman, WISE Assistant Project Leader and Communities of Practice for Entrepreneurship (COPE) Program Manager, discussed the entrepreneurial mindset of Pinaypreneurs and provided an overview of MSMEs in the Philippines.
Experts from Japan and South Korea, Dr. Akira Murata and Mr. Woongse Kim, shared their expertise in enterprise development, digital management and transformation, and the use of artificial intelligence to improve MSME productivity. Ms. Gayun Kim led a session on personal development, while Mr. Ron Allan Estrebillo, University Extension Specialist from UP ISSI’s Training and Entrepreneurship Education Division, discussed sustainability for Pinaypreneurs.
Complementing the learning sessions were visits to three women-led enterprises: Fix n’ Mix, Kalibutan Society, Inc.’s muscovado production site, and Negros 9 Weaving. These visits presented opportunities to learn from local enterprise practices and experiences.
City Vice Mayor Hon. Divina Gracia S. Miranda welcomed the participants on behalf of the City Government of Kabankalan. She pledged support for future runs of the WISE Program in the city and for MSME development through ordinances of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
On the final day, participants presented their business continuity and resilience plan (BCRP)-at-a-Glance which were evaluated by Ms. Laddaran and Mr. Estrebillo.
City Mayor Hon. Benjie M. Miranda attended the closing ceremonies and reiterated the City Government of Kabankalan’s support for the development of MSMEs.
The WISE Program Team acknowledges the Office of the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman, through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD), for funding support through the UP Diliman Extension Grant.
CONNECT WITH US:
For program details and partnership opportunities, contact the WISE Program Team:
Email Address: training_issi.upd@up.edu.ph
Contact Number: (+632) 8981-8500 loc. 4054
**Photos by Jep De Guzman
