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Monday, July 11, 2005
It's `sulong' for SMEs in Capiz
ROXAS CITY -- The thrust of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to make small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a major contributor to economic development is gaining ground in Capiz with the emergence of various ventures that have been assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its partner-agencies.
DTI Public Information Officer Ken Queenie Cuada said they have jump-started the government's "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) project that was conceived to develop viable SMEs and at the same time generate job opportunities.
The DTI conducted last month a cluster action planning workshop for fresh and processed seafood with focus on bangus (milkfish) as the first in a series of said activity for priority products under the OTOP project.
The bangus-based enterprise will be launched to cover Roxas City and the coastal towns, which have agreed to develop an enterprise anchored on seafood, for which Capiz has been known as the "seafood capital of the Philippines."
The viability of the particular sector has already been proven by the bangus deboning and seafood-processing venture of JC King Enterprises of couple Jose and Cecilia Acevedo which was inaugurated by President Arroyo herself during her visit to the province in March of this year.
Cuada said the venture is now fully operational with financial assistance from the government's Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF). The boneless bangus and processed seafood churned out by the JC King plant are sold mostly in Metro Manila where demand is high.
The DTI said the OTOP project is expected to pave the way for the emergence of more SMEs that are anchored on other major products in the province, notably cutflowers and bamboo-wood based products.
The agency is also assisting together with other government agencies other viable ventures by enterprising individuals and organizations that are based on raw materials that are readily available locally.
DTI said these projects fall within the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan for 2004-2010 which outlines the dual strategies of product development through OTOP and credit provision through SULONG, acronym for SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth, to support 3 million entrepreneurs and generate 6 to 10 million jobs.
DTI Provincial Director Rebecca M. Rascon said the bangus industry development initiative of Capiz is well supported in the regional level. During a regional bangus clustering workshop held in Iloilo City, an alliance was forged between Capiz and Iloilo fish producers in support to the initiative.
Rascon added that the development of the bangus industry is one of the priorities that were identified under the Fish and Marine Sector of the Panay Integrated Area Development Project.(PIA-JSC)
(July 11, 2005 issue)
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