MSMEs shown use of digital tools to boost businesses

The Manila Times

MSMEs shown use of digital tools to boost businesses  Digital tools now play a central role in helping local merchants strengthen their operations, reach more customers, and promote their products more effectively. By adopting digital payments, financing options, and simplified transaction systems, small business owners gain access to opportunities that once felt out of reach. These tools streamline daily operations, enhance customer convenience, and help enterprises stay resilient, especially during disruptions or unexpected challenges. The Grab Asenso Merchant Diskarte Conference at the Oakridge Pavilion on Dec. 4, 2025 highlighted these points through presentations from industry leaders. Deputy Head for Cities Paula Catanghal announced new digital financing options and card and QR payments that require no additional devices, and she also emphasized the platform’s criminal protection program that provides financial support during calamities.  Participants also learned practical ways to advertise, including using mobile phones for product photography—an essential skill as more consumers rely on online visuals when choosing where to buy.  KAISER JAN FUENTES  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net     Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #themanilatimes #tmtnews #philippines

Transcript

00:00Normally, you can say, I'm overexposed. What you will do is you tap on it.

00:04Normally, it's a slider. I don't know if you can see it.

00:09Pwede na ako na i-slide to lasa the exposure.

00:14Na na siya slider.

00:20To start off, Grab a Senso program is our flagship digital discarte

00:26that we've brought across eight cities, across the Philippines,

00:30and we're culminating it here in Cebu

00:32because we've identified Cebu as one of the biggest business sectors across the city.

00:38And this program is truly catering to the micro, small, and medium enterprise community,

00:44the merchant community here in Cebu,

00:47that will truly benefit with the offerings of Grab a Senso,

00:50which is the Senso Learning and the Senso Tools.

00:52Oh, solid training.

00:53Yes. So, with a Senso Learning,

00:56with a Senso Learning, they will be equipped with practical skills like digital marketing.

01:03We also have food photography that the merchants can use

01:07to improve how the consumers see their products online.

01:11But, excitingly, we also have artificial intelligence,

01:14which is a very new technology

01:15and can be used to improve the productivity of their operations.

01:20and better yet, also provide them insights how they're performing within the app

01:25and how they can further improve then how they design their own stores

01:30and be set apart across the competition here in Cebu.

01:33because there are a lot of merchants here, and it's really hard to stand out.

01:38So, these skills will help them do that.

01:40And then, with the Senso Tools,

01:43we're excited to launch the Tap and Scan to Pay in particular.

01:47very push-up, applicable here, because it allows you to accept card and QR payments,

01:52but most importantly, it also enrolls you in the Income Protection Program,

01:55where our merchants can claim financial support in case lang po

01:59that they have any financial loss due to calamities like what we've experienced here in Cebu.

02:04So, this is a very unique program that we have only opened

02:08and linked to the Tap and Scan to Pay Financial Solution.

02:12So, yun po yung offerings namin here at Grappa Senso.

02:15How many participants do you have now?

02:17Is this a one-day for the year?

02:19So, more than 300 participants.

02:22For today po, we have invited 300 participants or representatives from our merchant community.

02:29And it's a mix po talaga of SMBs or small-medium businesses,

02:34as well as also the big players then po.

02:37Because all this offering is applicable to them.

02:39It's not just reserved for MSNPs.

02:41So, one day lang po na ito?

02:43For Cebu, yes, it's just one day.

02:45But we have done this event across eight cities from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

02:50And ito po talaga yung format namin.

02:52We really want to do the Senso Learning,

02:54and then also showcase or demo all the tools

02:57that they can start to use as early yesterday.

03:00How often do you do that for the year?

03:02This is a year-long campaign.

03:04So, we started actually at Q1,

03:07and then we've been traveling across the Philippines to do this.

03:11And this is going to be continued in next year.

03:14So, we still want to continue that Grappa Senso mission forward.

03:18Kasi ito po talaga yung ambition namin

03:21that every merchant in our app is digitally ready to compete

03:24and thrive in our online marketplace.

03:28Ma'am, we've seen you've...

03:29There's a talk about photography, using our phones with the food.

03:33What are the other topics that were discussed earlier

03:37to empower our partners?

03:38So, later, you will also understand digital marketing.

03:42Kasi po, a lot of us, you know,

03:45show our products online through Instagram, TikTok.

03:47Ang dami na pong bagong platforms.

03:49And I'm sure some of our merchants are, you know, intimidated by these new platforms

03:54and how they can, you know, be more viral than that's our questions.

03:59So, that's why we want to also equip our merchants with

04:02how to better position their products,

04:05how to describe it,

04:06how to increase interest.

04:09Kasi yun naman po talaga yung kailangan nyo yun.

04:11Kailangan at the first look pa lang,

04:13ang interesado na agad.

04:15And doon po sila makakapag-purchase and order sa mga platforms.

04:19Ma'am, do you have estimation of numbers of partner merchants here

04:22and operating here in Metro Cebu?

04:24Metro Cebu?

04:25More than 2,000.

04:27More than 2,000 po yung mga merchants natin dito.

04:29And it's growing.

04:30And majority are MS and East.

04:33Also, ma'am, can you share, like, if you have numbers,

04:35like, how much grab orders are happening in your daily?

04:38Yeah.

04:39Yeah.

04:40Average.

04:41In Cebu, we have 11 branches already.

04:45Uh, the corporation has been, um,

04:49been open since, uh, 1971.

04:5250 years, uh, 54 years already.

04:54Akong edad.

04:56Pilakabranches, sir?

04:57Huh?

04:58Sa Cebu lang, we have 11.

05:11Gustavo Malik.

05:12In Cebu.

05:12A完act.

05:13Flip Turtle.

05:13We are 12.

05:15Heptal Михaibu.

05:17Ma'am.

05:18Wow.

05:18Lag awesome segala.

05:19What?

05:19Good.

05:20Actually havevi a couple of hours like so,

05:22I saw a couple of hours a week,

05:24and I have never had friends.

05:25Mm!」

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