THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) believes that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development is an instrument to achieve job generation and inclusive growth.
In its 2013 budget, DTI started to fund the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project which aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.
Accordingly, the SSF Project is being implemented in the whole country. The program stakeholders are referred to as cooperators that include non-government organizations, people’s organizations, cooperatives, industry/trade/business associations, local government units (LGUs), state universities/colleges technical vocational schools and other similar government and training institutions.
Beneficiaries of the program are the actual and potential users of the SSF which should be predominantly cooperatives, associations or groups of MSMEs including MSMEs.
Just this month, the municipality of La Trinidad through its Negosyo Center helped in the processing of the SSF application of two organizations. The project proposals of Kulibangbang Weavers Association and the La Trinidad Association of Persons with Disabilities were submitted to the DTI Regional Office for evaluation.
Before the approval of the projects, the beneficiaries need to defend first their proposals to the panel of evaluators. Several groups from the region went through the process hoping to get a nod from the selected evaluators.
Thanks to Senator Loren Legarda for fighting for the added appropriation for the SSF. The Kulibangbang Weavers Association was recommended by the office of the senator to avail of the program. The association is a group of women weaving in their village in Bayabas, Pico while attending to their children/grandchildren. The organization proposed for additional hand-operated looms for their livelihood program.
Meanwhile, the Association of PWDs in La Trinidad proposed for manual and electric sewing machines. The association is very lucky to get the support of Mayor Romeo Salda. I was very fortunate also to witness the mayor defending the project of the PWDs in front of the panelists. The LGU of La Trinidad has provided a sheltered workshop building for the sector to house their economic activities. If the project will be approved, the sewing machines will be kept at the building.
The local chief executive defended the project very well knowing that the PWDs are one of the most vulnerable groups in the society that needs livelihood programs to sustain their necessities.
This columnist commends the act of the DTI Baguio-Benguet Office especially to Provincial Director Freda Gawisan and his staff, Ace Alicay, for giving full support to the associations for the cause of uplifting the lives of PWDs and women.
I am positive that the associations will get an okay from their proposals by the end of this month. With that, the beneficiaries should take seriously the operation of their livelihood programs so as not to waste the entrusted resources.