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Monday, July 25, 2005
Hebrona: Developing and Promoting the SME in Sarangani Province
By Bronx Hebrona
Mind Your Business
THIS week, I am featuring an essay by Michael Recto, a high school student from Pangyan National High School in Glan, Sarangani. The Piece won the Judges' Citation Award during the recent USWAG Sarangani On-the Spot Essay-Writing Contest, in which I was chair of the board of Judges.
In the old days, Sarangani was still a struggling province wherein people thrived in whatever was available to augment their daily needs. There were capitalists, but the majority of the population have been into fishing and farming. Their income depended mainly on their physical capabilities, the weather, and a big percentage is left to sheer luck. Because in fishing, one could expect good catch if the weather is in good condition.
And in farming, they could have a bountiful harvest if there were no calamities like El Niño, La Niña, pest infestation and the like. One had to strive hard to provide decent meals for their families. Whatever compensation they derived from their hard work, a big percentage went into food, and in servicing their debts. Only a few could afford to send their children to school. Illiteracy was prevalent, resulting to employment problems.
People's lives would just revolve on a cycle because they lack the technical know-how in improving their economic standing in life. They'll grow old struggling with the perils of the sea or tilling their fields, just content with the good graces from heaven.
But if we dig deeper, the seven municipalities of Sarangani each has distinct potential tourist and investment destinations wherein USWAG Sarangani could be promoted. We can clearly cite the potentials of the respective municipalities.
In Alabel, for instance, those in the coastal area are into fishing and those in the low and highlands are into farming. In Glan, the main sources of income are coconut and corn farming, and fishing. There are also white sand beaches which could become great tourist attractions. Kiamba is into fishing and farming also. Maasim has a shrimp industry and banana production.
In Maitum, the people are engaged in fishing and Euphorbia growing. Malapatan abounds with root crops, corn fields and also, fishing. Malungon on the other hand, is not located along the coastal line. But its vast area is mainly planted with mangoes.
Now, we're aware that Sarangani Province, under the administration and initiative of Governor Miguel Dominguez, is giving top priority to development and economic expansion. Sarangans are the most blessed with the launching of the USWAG Sarangani project. As a brainchild of both private and public sectors, it is geared towards creating Sarangani as an eco-development center to reckon with.
Various government programs and projects are being launched, specifically the SME development program, wherein everybody could have a chance to benefit through the improvement of one's economic standing. With the aid of the Provincial Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, several programs and trainings are being conducted for the improvement and development of people's skills.
In Alabel, they are conducting a Brainstorming by Aquaculture Industry Stakeholders for the 2005 Aquaculture Exposition activities, a Basic Cornhusk Sculpturing Seminar, Techno-Transfer on Bangus Deboning, Seedling Distribution, and Entrepreneurial Game Seminar. In Glan, they will conduct a Coconut Forum. In Maasim, they are having the Techno-Transfer on Shrimp Hatchery and Production and Pest Harvesting Training.
In Maitum, they will have the Skills Upgrading in fish marinating , Values Orientation Seminar and Seminar in Euphorbia Growing. Malapatan will hold the Values Orientation Seminar, Root Crops Processing and the Plant Now Pay Later releasing. And lastly, Malungon will conduct the Techno-Transfer on Mango Processing.
With all these efforts extended, people's livelihood will be enhanced, because they could provide more values in terms of improved products and skills. Parents with augmented income could send children to school. Literate youth can contribute greatly to our thrust and vision of USWAG Sarangani. Through SMEs, a dream can become a reality for Sarangani.
(You may write Bronx at P.O. Box 46430, Gen. Santos City 9500, or you may reach him through email at binex@asia.com. He hosts Radyo Negosyo, a weekly radio program that promotes entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The program is aired every Sunday at 9-10 am over DXBB AM (RGMA Superadyo) at 1107 KHz. He is President-Convenor of the Socsargen Financial Intelligence Network, Inc.)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(July 25, 2005 issue)
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