The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the Philippine government agency in charge of growing trade, industry, and investments. It supports businesses—especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—protects consumers, and promotes a competitive economy where Filipinos can find jobs or start their own negosyo.
DTI works closely with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through programs like Skills Training for Employment/Entrepreneurship Program (STEEP). TESDA provides technical skills training and certification, while DTI delivers entrepreneurship training, business registration support, start-up assistance, and access to micro-financing such as the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program. Together, they help Filipinos move from being job-seekers to becoming job creators.
What is DTI?
The DTI is the main department responsible for the development, promotion, regulation, and growth of trade and industry in the country. You can think of DTI as the agency that helps businesses start, grow, and compete—whether that’s a small sari-sari store, a service shop, or an export company.
DTI acts as the government’s arm for:
- Promoting local and foreign trade
- Supporting MSMEs
- Attracting investments
- Improving ease of doing business
- Protecting consumers
- Developing industries through innovation and technology
It operates through major programs such as:
- Export and Investment Development Program
- Industry Development Program
- SME Development Program
- Consumer Protection Program
- Consumer Education and Advocacy Program
How Does DTI Work with TESDA?
If you train with TESDA, DTI can help you via their joint efforts, not just to train you—but to help you earn. DTI and TESDA also recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Skills Training for Employment/Entrepreneurship Program (STEEP).
Here’s how it works:
1. TESDA Provides the Skills
TESDA:
- Conducts technical-vocational training
- Certifies workers
- Identifies graduates from STEP and scholarship programs
- Provides National Certificates
You learn welding, cooking, automotive repair, construction skills, meat processing, retail skills, and more.
But after graduation, that’s where DTI comes in.
2. DTI Teaches You How to Turn Skills into Income
Under STEEP and the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) program, DTI:
- Assesses and selects qualified TESDA graduates
- Provides entrepreneurship training
- Helps you understand costing, pricing, packaging, and labeling
- Assists in sole proprietorship registration
- Links you to micro-financing like P3
- Provides access to start-up capital
- Monitors your business progress
Instead of waiting to be hired, you can start your own small business.
DTI-TESDA Partnership in Action
Some examples of the DTI-TESDA partnership efforts include:
1. Technician Competency Training (Zambales – 2025)
DTI and TESDA conducted training for service and repair technicians to:
- Upgrade skills
- Renew National Certificates
- Meet Service and Repair Enterprises (SRE) accreditation standards
This helps technicians stay competitive and compliant.
2. Entrepreneurship Seminars for Sari-Sari Store Owners
DTI and TESDA, together with private partners, conducted free seminars to help small retailers:
- Develop entrepreneurial mindset
- Learn 21st century skills
- Avoid online scams
- Adapt to digital payments and e-wallet systems
This matters especially for:
- OFWs planning to return home
- Stay-at-home parents
- Out-of-school youth
- Micro business owners
3. Livelihood Training with Partners (Meat Processing)
Through collaborations, beneficiaries receive:
- Technical skills training (TESDA)
- Product costing and pricing seminars (DTI side support)
- Packaging and labeling knowledge
- Business development guidance
Why This Matters
If you are:
- An OFW planning to come home
- A returning OFW who wants steady income
- An out-of-school youth
- A TESDA scholar
- A sari-sari store owner
- Someone who wants to start small
This partnership was designed for you. TESDA builds your technical skills. DTI helps you build your business by providing entrepreneurship education, business registration assistance, start-up support, and access to financing. Together, DTI and TESDA create a pathway from skills to certification to business to income. And for many Filipinos, that pathway is the difference between waiting for work and creating opportunity.
If you want to register a sole proprietorship, ask about business requirements, or learn how to grow your small business venture, DTI is the agency to approach.
- Address: Filinvest Bldg., 387 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Makati City
- Email: ask@dti.gov.ph
- Hotline: 1-DTI (384) | (632) 7791-3100
- Text: 0917 834 3330
- Follow: @DTI.Philippines