Manila: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) strengthened support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as 11 more logistics and related firms joined its Supply Chain and Logistics Center (SCLC) Network. Speaking during the ceremonial signing for the onboarding of the additional stakeholders on Wednesday, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque underscored the vital role of logistics in business operations, especially in an archipelagic country, and in speeding up aid delivery during calamities. According to Philippines News Agency, Roque also cited the country's growing e-commerce sector, now the fourth largest in Southeast Asia. 'We are already almost 120 million Filipinos so the market is so huge. There's so much product that need to be moved. So, again, we need to really strengthen the supply chain and logistics,' she said. Roque highlighted the President's vision to revitalize the economy by modernizing infrastructure and transforming the movement of goods, people, and ideas. 'At the Department of Trade and Industry, we share those dreams,' she expressed. Launched in June 2025, the SCLC Network now includes over 100 transport, storage, and delivery firms addressing MSMEs' logistics needs. During the same event, the DTI also named 33 industry representatives as specialists under the Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG) to provide free guidance to MSMEs on operations, distribution, and scalability. Among them are FAST Logistics Group officials, namely chief executive officer for Logistics Manuel Onrejas Jr., Vice President for Strategic Growth Initiatives Gladys Ceniza, and Business Unit Head for Cold Chain Solutions Marc Anthony Dizon. Onrejas emphasized the need for resilient and adaptable supply chains in the face of rising disruptions, cost pressures, and service expectations. Ceniza noted the significance of logistics as an economic multiplier, stating that efficient goods movement leads to faster business growth, job creation, and enhanced competitiveness. She added that the DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Guild facilitates public-private collaboration, enabling MSMEs to access these advantages and compete on a more level playing field.