Logistics firms on Wednesday joined hands with the government to address three critical vulnerabilities in the national supply chain: disaster response, export competitiveness and inter-island trade.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), central to the new agreements sealed by the firms with the agency is the mobilization of private fleets during national emergencies.

By partnering with land transport leaders like Toyota Motor Philippines and Victory Liner, alongside green logistics provider Mober, the DTI aims to ensure that the movement of food, medicine and relief packs does not grind to a halt when calamity strikes.

“Logistics is a vital pillar of our national resilience. By integrating these industry leaders into our network, we are ensuring that essential supply chains remain operational even under challenging conditions. Our goal is to create a secure movement of goods that protects both our businesses and the Filipino consumers they serve,” said DTI Secretary Cristina Roque.

Meanwhile, as exports continue to climb, the DTI is ensuring that local logistics capabilities can keep pace with international demand by including the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL) and the Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. in the Supply Chain and Logistics Center (SCLC).

Established in June 2025, SCLC serves as the primary hub for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to navigate new networks. It is designed to bridge the gap between local production and global markets.

Through SCLC’s portal (supplychainlogistics.dti.gov.ph), small businesses can access real-time service referrals and cost-saving regulatory guidance.

To also lower prices for local consumers, the DTI is leveraging the “last-mile” expertise of courier giants J&T Express, Shopee Xpress and JRS Business Corporation, a move that aims to create a seamless flow of products across the country’s 7,600 islands, making it as affordable to ship goods between provinces as it is within Metro Manila.

“Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we are strategically modernizing our logistics ecosystem to eliminate the geographic barriers that have long hindered trade across our archipelago. By optimizing our infrastructure and fostering these high-level partnerships, we are making the Philippines a more competitive hub where businesses of all sizes — from local startups to global exporters — can grow with confidence and efficiency,” the DTI chief said.

Roque also highlighted how this logistics synergy will serve as a bridge for MSMEs to go beyond their regions: “This partnership is a strategic move for our MSMEs, effectively removing the logistical challenge that limits their reach. By empowering small businesses to move their products seamlessly across the country, we are ensuring that the quality of Filipino goods is being matched by the speed and reliability of our logistics.”

“As disruptions, cost pressures, and service expectations continue to rise, businesses need supply chains that are not just efficient, but resilient and adaptable. The DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Guild is a timely platform where industry practitioners can share what works on the ground and help MSMEs build the capabilities they need to become more competitive,” said FAST CEO for Logistics Manuel Onrejas Jr. in an interview.

The event also saw the activation of the SCLC Guild, an advisory body of industry veterans who provide pro bono technical support to help MSMEs optimize their delivery routes and reduce overhead.

During the launch of SCLC last year, 18 founding partners signed a pledge of support: 2GO Group Inc.; Airspeed, Cebu Pacific Cargo, DHL Express Philippines, F2 Logistics, Fast Logistics, FedEx Express Philippines, Flash Express, Grab, Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal, Lalamove, LBC Express, Maersk, Philippine Airlines Cargo, Philippine Multimodal Transport and Logistics Association Inc., San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp., Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines and YelloX Supply Chain Solutions.

The second batch of SCLC partners includes: AISL, Fintech Alliance PH, GO21 Inc., In-line Logistics, J&T Express, JRS Business Corp, PASIA, Mober Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, PEMAP, Shopee Xpress, Toyota Motor Philippines and Victory Liner.