RTWPB-II, in partnership with LGU Lal-lo and its Public Employment Service Office, conducted a Design Thinking training for 25 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Lal-lo, Cagayan on June 3, 2025.

The activity provided industry-based MSMEs with a better understanding of their customers, helped them identify real problems, and developed human-centered solutions.

Participants were guided through the five stages of Design Thinking — Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test — using practical and interactive activities.

Business owners were encouraged to explore how even small processes or product improvements could significantly boost customer satisfaction and competitiveness.

One such business was Follante Hidden Place, a local favorite in Lal-lo, whose owner walked away with many takeaways.

“This training helped us see our café from the perspective of our customers. We’re now working on improving our menu and introducing new coffee blends that better suit their tastes,” the Follante Café, owner Ms. Ellen Rose T. Follante said.

By the end of the training, each MSME had developed a simple, doable action plan. Most initiatives revolved around product improvements, customer feedback collection, prototype testing, and packaging enhancements.

RTWPB-II Board Secretary Atty. Lovely Mei R. Dela Cruz said welcomed the training as a “stepping stone” for MSMEs in Lal-lo to adopt innovation as a mindset rooted in empathy, experimentation, and continuous learning.

Vice Mayor Olive Pascual, who was present during the event, emphasized the value of customer empathy in innovation.

“MSMEs should understand clearly the needs of their clients to make fruitful innovations that really solve clients’ problems,” Vice Mayor Pascual said in her opening message.