THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Shared Service Facilities (SSF) program has released P4.89 million worth of livelihood projects to five farmer-cooperatives in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI regional director, said the projects were turned over to the beneficiary-cooperatives in a simple ceremony held on Wednesday in the town of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
The project-beneficiaries are the following: Philippine Pioneer Rubber Products Corporation (PPRPC), the local government units (LGUs) of Ipil and Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Timbabauan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Tarbemco), and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Arbemco).
Jain said the PPRPC received In-House Rubber Testing Laboratory facility worth P3 million, Ipil LGU received 1,210 units of rubberized plastic coagulating and aging tanks costing P447,700, Naga LGU received 12 units of weighing scales worth P106,560; TARBEMCO received a concrete coagulating and aging tank with one unit of weighing scales for their rubber quality improvement worth P728,963, and, Arbemco received an abaca drying shed project costing to P615,000.
Jain said she is optimistic the livelihood projects would boost the livelihood undertakings of the beneficiary-cooperatives.
Jain said the DTI is trying its best to help through the SSF and hopes that the project be continued next year.
“We’re hoping to replicate the project next year should the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approve the project proposal from DTI for 2017 SSF funding,” she said.
She also urged the beneficiary-cooperatives to take good care of the facilities and use it to the fullest.
She said the DTI has the option to take back the equipment and give to other cooperatives who need it should the facilities are not used properly or are non-operational.
She said they have internal auditors to monitor and audit all of the given facilities to ensure the beneficiaries are using it properly. (Bong Garcia)