The Office of the Provincial Cooperatives Development Officer (OPCDO), brought key stakeholders to the same room during the event “Forging Synergies for Inclusive Growth: A Consultative Meeting on MSME Program Convergence with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Plan 2025–2028,” held on December 4, at the New Provincial Government Center in Trece Martires City.

The day-long engagement convened 48 participants representing 32 agencies, composed of local government units (LGUs), provincial offices, national government agencies, and non-government organizations. The broad participation highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration and aligning programs toward a unified, inclusive, and future-ready MSME development agenda for the province.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Myrachel P. Cuadra, Officer-in-Charge of OPCDO, emphasized that meaningful growth for micro, small, and medium enterprises is best achieved through strong inter-agency convergence. Messages of support followed from Ms. Sheryll S. Loyola, Chairperson of the Provincial Government of Cavite Employees and Community Multi-purppose Cooperative (PGCECC) and Livelihood Division Head of OPCDO, and Ms. Lilibeth R. Chavez, OIC Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cavite, both underscoring the importance of inclusive, sustainable, and resilient MSME development.

Setting the direction for the discussions, Ms. Liza C. Gabatan, Entrepreneurial Division Head of OPCDO, presented an overview of the activity, outlining its objectives and the critical role of coordination in translating policy into impact.

The morning session was highlighted by the presentation of the MSMED Plan 2025–2028 by Ms. Susan Mae Salonga, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED)–DTI. Her comprehensive discussion of national MSME priorities was followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment, allowing participants to clarify strategies and identify concrete opportunities for program alignment.

Existing MSME programs and services of LGUs and other stakeholders which were collated beforehand by the OPCDO was then presented, fostering transparency and surfacing areas for complementation and convergence. In the afternoon, stakeholders took part in a workshop session on MSME program alignment with the MSMED Plan 2025–2028, translating national strategies into actionable provincial and local initiatives.

The consultative meeting concluded with action planning and presentations of the harmonized Cavite MSME Development Plan and convergence opportunities, capped by a Pledge of Support and Commitment Setting. This collective affirmation reinforced the resolve of partner agencies and stakeholders to move forward not in silos, but in synergy.

Overall, activity marked a significant step toward institutionalizing program convergence in Cavite ensuring that MSME interventions are coordinated, inclusive, and responsive, and that economic growth across the province is not only sustained, but shared.