Over 50 participants from 30 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participated in the training on “Smart Productivity: Transforming MSMEs through Digital Innovation” conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-XII (RTWPB-XII) on 18 June 2026 at Koronadal City.

The activity aimed to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs to embrace digital transformation as a strategic pathway toward higher productivity, improved operational efficiency, and sustained business competitiveness. It also emphasized the importance of preparing both enterprises and their workforce for digital adoption.

RTWPB guided participants through practical tools and frameworks that enabled them to assess their current level of digital readiness, identify productivity gaps, and develop actionable strategies for integrating digital solutions into their business operations.

Mr. Randy Oliver Legada, Information Technology Officer I, discussed the Concept of Smart Productivity, Understanding the Digital Readiness of MSMEs, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications, and the Digital Transformation Framework.

“Digital transformation is most effective when organizations understand where they are today before deciding where they want to go. Technology becomes a powerful productivity enabler only when businesses are ready to adopt it strategically and when people are empowered to maximize its potential,” Mr. Legada said.

He further explained that AI and digital tools should be seen as productivity partners that streamline processes, improve decision-making, and allow MSMEs to deliver faster, smarter, and more responsive services to their customers.

Ms. Faye Kim T. Torres-Wee, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer, underscored the critical role of human capital in achieving Smart Productivity through her session on Strengthening Workforce Skills and Employee Engagement.

She stressed that organizations can only realize the full benefits of digitalization when employees possess the competencies, adaptability, and commitment necessary to embrace technological change.

“The success of digital transformation is measured not only by the technologies an organization adopts but by how prepared its people are to innovate, collaborate, and continuously learn. An empowered workforce remains the strongest foundation of sustainable productivity,” Ms. Torres-Wee said.

She, likewise, reinforced the importance of investing in workforce development to ensure that digital initiatives translate into meaningful organizational improvements and long-term business growth.

Ms. Christine Dugando, Labor and Employment Officer III, facilitated discussion on the Development of Digital Productivity Action Plans, enabling participants to convert their digital readiness assessments into concrete and achievable workplace initiatives.

Meanwhile, participants crafted organization-specific action plans by identifying practical interventions that will help accelerate digital adoption, improve workplace productivity, and strengthen their competitiveness in an increasingly technology-driven business environment. (Randy Oliver Legada)