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Sunday, September 11, 2005
Food processing in Cordilleras to be improved
OFFICIALS of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (Dost) and Benguet State University (BSU) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at assisting small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) improve their food processing capabilities.
DAP assistant vice president for quality and competitiveness Arnel Abanto, who represented the academy during the signing, said the project "Value Chain Productivity and Technology Enhancement Program for Food Processing SMEs in CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)" is a support mechanism to enhance SME's competitiveness in the food business.
He added that aside from DTI, DOST and BSU, the program is also supported by the Canadian International Development Agency-Private Enterprise Accelerated Resource Linkages (Cida-Pearl).
Regional caretaker Marites Damian, who represented DTI-CAR, in the signing said that this undertaking is in line with the national SME development plan to prioritize and develop the SMEs so that they can be globally competitive.
The MOU states the project aims to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs, particularly the food processing companies in the region through productivity improvement, technology upgrading and the application of quality and productivity systems throughout the industry value chain.
The DAP, as stated in the MOU, will prepare the program and course design, provide technical expertise, resource persons and training materials.
DTI-CAR's role is to provide assistance in the coordination with the program beneficiaries/partners as well as in the implementation of project activities including meetings and training programs. A personnel will be assigned by DTI-CAR to work with the DAP project team in the conduct of monitoring and evaluation of project activities implemented by the program beneficiaries.
As its counterpart, the DoST will also provide logistical support and assign one staff member to work with the DAP project team.
BSU's food processing center will also benefit from the program and at the same time serve as a partner of the DAP project team.
As their counterpart, the SMEs identified as program beneficiaries shall: assign and ensure the participation of their key personnel in relevant project activities including meetings and training programs; provide on-site training venues; ensure the implementation of relevant project activities and provide resource and policy support for the implementation of improvement options adopted by the company; submit regular progress reports to the DAP project team; and share the knowledge and experience gained from the project during conferences and other related activities that may be organized by DAP.
The MOU signing was witnessed by director Carmelita Usman of the DTI-Baguio/Benguet Office.
After the MOU signing, participants and resource speakers from DAP and DTI visited prospective project implementers where an on-site training intervention may be conducted. The places that the participants and project team visited were, SLU-IESSIF, BSU, DoST, Mother Shepherd Peanut Brittle, Tartland, Winer's and other SMEs.
After trainings shall have been conducted, these SMEs are expected to generate a multiplier effect on the various skill and knowledge they have learned from the project.
With the Philippine's adoption of a national SME Development Plan as a comprehensive and priority strategy of its government, it is hoped that the vibrant SME sector will provide a strong domestic base for globally competitive industries.
(September 11, 2005 issue)
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