The UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries (ISSI) recently received the 2025 Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners from the Department of Trade and Industry.
This honor, awarded under the Upscaling Knowledge and Skills category, recognizes programs and services that best serve the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and that actively promote MSME development.
ISSI was recognized for implementing the ENTRELEAD: Entrepreneurial Learning and Advisory Development Hub, a collaboration of the institute’s two advocacy programs—COPE (Communities of Practice for Entrepreneurship) and GABAy (Gaining Advancement through Business Advisory and Support Services). Both programs were cited for improving and advancing the knowledge, skills, and resilience of MSMEs in the Philippines.
COPE provides entrepreneurship education to individuals with limited access to such services. Its onsite and virtual training covers topics in operations management, strategic and digital marketing, human resource management, basic financial recording and financial literacy, as well as business continuity management and resilience planning.
GABAy, on the other hand, promotes the expansion and sustainability of MSMEs through online mentorship, business diagnostics, and digital marketing support. It offers a broad range of services, both online and in-person, aimed at helping MSMEs at improve their efficiency and productivity.
GABAy Program Leader Kaye C. Bravo noted that the ISSI is yet to formally receive the award as the ceremony is yet to be scheduled. With a report from the ISSI