THE Department of Trade and Industry Region in Central Luzon celebrated the success of its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program in improving the businesses of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) recently.
The DTI-Central Luzon convened dozens of MSMEs and cooperators who benefitted from the billions-worth of SSF program implemented all over Central Luzon for the Third Regional SSFs Stakeholders’ Summit.
During the summit, DTI-Central Luzon Regional Director Judith Angeles disclosed that a total of 1,343 SSF centers with a project cost of P127,493,465.54 was released in an aim to improve the quality and productivity of MSMEs through the provision of processing equipments for the common use of beneficiaries from 2013 to 2017.
From the seven provinces in the region, Pampanga topped the most number of machineries under SSF totalling to 57, followed by Zambales with 35, Aurora with 29, Bataan and Nueva Ecija both with 28, Bulacan with 27, and Tarlac with 25.
The said SSF centers were classified in a variety of industry clusters which include bamboo, coffee, dairy, FabLab, fashion accessories, metal craft, organic fertilizer, processed food, and wearables, among others.
Speaking before the attendees, Angeles said that the presentation of data aims to showcase the growth of SSF program over the years through their active participation and support.
“We are expressing our gratitude to you for being our partner in improving the lives of our fellow Filipinos. Since the SSF program was launched, we have grown together and have provided employment to several individuals under the SSF centers granted to you,” she said.
Angeles said that among the programs implemented by the DTI, the SSF project is one of the most fulfilling despite much effort it requires before it can be granted to beneficiaries.
“The SSF project is honestly the hardest in terms of procurement because it requires a bigger budget, but I can say that it is also the most fulfilling because we distribute tangible products that can help our MSMEs,” she said.
Angeles, meanwhile, vowed to continue improving the SSF project in the next years to make it more accessible and better serve its purpose of addressing the technical needs of and provide innovation to MSMEs.
“We have seen how you delivered through your productions, and how much effective the SSF program is when it comes to your businesses, and hopefully we can share more to others through the implementation of the same project with them,” she said.