RTWPB-7 chairperson and Department of Labor and Employment 7 regional director Roy L. Buenafe speaking during the recent kick-off of the 2025 Productivity Olympics in Cebu City. (Photo courtesy of RTWPB-7)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The search for the next “productivity champions” in Central Visayas is now officially open for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for the 2025 Productivity Olympics.
Launched in 2008, the Productivity Olympics is conducted every two years by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 7 (RTWPB-7) in line with Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989.
The search aims to encourage a culture of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability within the MSME sector.
“It provides a platform to highlight the impressive productivity practices that our entrepreneurs are implementing to navigate challenges, optimize resources, and create better opportunities for growth and development,” said RTWPB-7 chairperson and Department of Labor and Employment 7 regional director Roy L. Buenafe.
The deadline of submission of entries is on March 31, 2025, with the awarding ceremonies set in October 2025.
The Productivity Olympics is a major advocacy strategy of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and RTWPB to promote quality and productivity mindset among MSMEs and workers.
MSMEs will be able to showcase their best designed and successfully implemented ‘productivity improvement’ programs through this platform.
Buenafe emphasized that productivity is not solely a measure of success but also a key driver of the economy.
“In Central Visayas, MSMEs are the backbone of our local industries, generating jobs, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing significantly to the overall economic progress of the region,” Buenafe said.
The Productivity Olympics has three major categories, namely: agribusiness sector, industry sector, and service sector.
Each category will have three defined asset sizes based on the enterprise’s financial statement in December 2024.
Micro enterprises are those within P3,000,000 and below, P3,000,001 to P15,000,000 for small enterprises, and P15,000,001 to P100,000,000 for medium enterprises.
The screening will also be based on the total productivity, productivity improvement program, employee retention and expansion, and the overall employee engagement and empowerment.
Apart from the trophy, winners at the regional level will also receive a cash prize of P10,000, P25,000 for the national finalist, and P125,000 for the national winner for each category and size.
Winners will also be prioritized for the endorsement to NWPC and RTWPB training programs and services.
To qualify, enterprises must be registered with appropriate government agencies, shall also be compliant with general labor and occupational safety and health standards, and shall be registered in the Annual Establishment Report on Wages (AERW) online system.
Over 40 MSMEs in Central Visayas joined the recent launching of the search.
For more information, interested MSMEs may contact (032) 266 8068 or visit nwpc.dole.gov.ph/po. (JJT/PIA7)
