DAVAO CITY – The DITO Telecommunity and DITO BizBayan officially launched the ‘Bizbayani Awards’ on Tuesday, recognizing Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises as the modern-day heroes driving economic growth through innovation, resilience, and digital adoption.
Officials of the DITO Telecommunity and DITO BizBayan said the launch, first in Davao, highlighted the role of MSMEs in strengthening communities and creating opportunities, and that the initiative goes beyond recognition, aiming to build a nationwide movement supporting entrepreneurship.
“This is the beginning of a movement that recognizes the heart, resilience, and innovation of the Filipino MSMEs,” DITO BizBayan MSME head Gabby Cui said, adding that the program seeks to empower businesses through connectivity and digital tools.
He said MSMEs account for over 99 percent of registered businesses in the country and employ most of the workforce, highlighting their role in the economy. He added that the Bizbayani Awards aim to support them, many of whom have grown through resilience and self-learning.
“There is a word in Filipino that does not fully translate into English: Bayani (Hero),” Cui said during his presentation of the DITO BizBayani. “A bayani builds not only for themselves, but for something larger—for family, for community, and for the nation.”
Cui said DITO’s experience as a late entrant in the telecommunications industry mirrors the challenges faced by MSMEs, noting that competition and risk-taking are essential for growth and long-term success in a highly competitive market.
At the event, an official audio-visual presentation (AVP) presented by DITO BizBayan Community Engagement head Louie Rovillos emphasized the role of entrepreneurs in connecting communities, creating livelihoods, and providing opportunities despite challenges.
Rovillos said the awards were designed to highlight MSME stories of sacrifice, growth, and innovation. She added that the program is open to Filipino-owned MSMEs that have been operating for two years and show business growth, innovation, digital adoption, or community impact.
The awards feature five categories: Growth Excellence, Digital Impact, Employer Experience, Industry Impact, and Innovation, in partnership with organizations including the Department of Trade and Industry, GCash, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and others.
Nomination opened on June 3 and will run until July 3, 2026. Finalists will be selected after panel evaluation, followed by public voting from July 8 to July 23. Winners will be determined by 70 percent panel scores and 30 percent public votes, with the awards night scheduled for August 12.
Rovillos said winners will receive a trophy, a DITO BizKit with devices and connectivity, and a learning trip to China to study business and technology ecosystems. “Each Bizbayani Award winner will not only be recognized, but also equipped to scale further,” she added.
DITO VisMin MSME head Niño Nanquil announced that nominations for the Bizbayani Awards are now open, encouraging the public to recognize entrepreneurs who have demonstrated resilience and innovation in their communities.
The DITO executives said the program is nationwide and may be expanded or regionalized in the future, as the company continues to strengthen connectivity to support MSME growth across the country, highlighting the “true heartbeat of the Philippine economy.”(By Ivy Tejano)
