THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cebu has already released at least P6 million worth of facilities and equipment for the upgrade of some Shared Service Facilities (SSF) in the province in the first nine months of the year.
This already included the recent P2 million worth of SSF upgrade for the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Lamac MPC) and Cebu Technological University (CTU) Tuburan Campus.
DTI 7 Director Ma. Elena Arbon said these upgraded SSFs will enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve their productivity and competitiveness due to better machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.
“These will ultimately help improve the economic and livelihood opportunities of the people in the countryside, thereby enabling self-reliant, self-sustaining and highly resilient communities,” Arbon said in a statement.
The Lamac MPC is a recipient of one unit tempering machine, 100 pieces polycarbonate moulders and a multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer for the cacao processing facility in Pinamungajan and 40 units solar dryer for the cassava processing facility in Bogo with an estimated cost of P1.6 million for both projects.
“It’s timely that we received these equipment, most especially the solar dryers for the cassava processing since existing ones in our warehouse needed repair and replacement,” said Lamac MPC chairman Richard Obaner.
Obaner said the facility will help expand more its operation in cassava chips and granules processing, and increase its volume of production to meet the market requirements.
The upgrade for the cacao processing is also in response to the need of the group to propel efficient production and to reach wider markets not only for their tablea but also in the production of other cacao products like chocolates.
Tuburan also a recipient
On the other hand, the CTU-Tuburan Campus is a recipient of one unit laser cutter and an HD 3D handheld scanner totaling P844,000 for the upgrade of its fabrication laboratory (FabLab).
In 2020, during the height of the community quarantine, CTU-Tuburan FabLab produced over 6,000 face shields, 6,000 face masks, and some other 3D printed personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment in response to the need during the pandemic.
“This would really help a lot in effective and improved services of our shared facility. This will help us with our vision as premiere university educating the future of the nation,” said CTU Tuburan director for shared facilities Maria Elena Aparante.
Entering a memorandum of agreement (MOA), both cooperators are obliged to provide for maintenance and repair to ensure the proper and optimum use of the facilities and conduct periodic preventive maintenance work to keep the SSF in good working condition.
“Rest assured, we will keep these SSF equipment in good care. We have to manage and utilize the machineries and facilities in response to the call for wholesome services,” said Lamac MPC general manager Ma. Elena Limocon in acceptance of the turned-over facilities.
The DTI, on the other hand, will monitor and evaluate the operations of the SSF project, particularly in terms of production and financial condition.
The usufruct agreement shall be for a period of two years and equipment ownership shall be turned over to the cooperators upon demonstrating successful management of the facilities.
The other SSF projects of DTI-Cebu so far since the start of the year are SSF upgrade on garments production for Lamac MPC worth P775,000; SSF upgrade on enabling the creative industry for UP Fablab worth P859,800 and SSF upgrade for handloom weaving for CTU-Argao worth P1.998 million. (KOC WITH PR)