Shared agri facilities seen to aid Davao Sur trade
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry has approved six shared service facilities (SSFs) in Davao del Sur to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs in the province.
The six SSFs, worth a combined P2 million, will be used for coco vinegar production enhancement of Benepisyaryo ng Repormang Agraryo ng Darong Multipurpose Cooperative (BREAD-MPC) of Sta. Cruz; kakanin production facility expansion of PCEC Kumassie Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. Multipurpose Cooperative (PKEARBAI-MPC) of Barangay Basiawan, Sta. Maria; and for the coco shellcraft production enhancement of Padada Cococraft Producers and Assemblers Association.
Also approved were SSFs for the existing cacao beans fermentation facility expansion of Malita Rural Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (Marwabempco); muscovado sugar production of Kooperatiba ng Kiblawan; and coco coir processing project of Bansalan Coconut Farmers and Workers Multipurpose Cooperative (BCMC).
“It is our hope that they will improve their business especially in terms of profit by increasing their production volume and enhancing product quality. These we can easily achieve with the help of the SSFs,” said DTI-DS officer-in-charge Eulogio C. Orevillo, referring to the beneficiaries.
“Right now, we are still finalizing three more project proposals which are targeted to be approved before the 2013 ends.”
Orevillo is encouraging associations and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to contact the DTI should they be interested in availing of the SSF program of the government.
“We would like to hear from them. We want to know if they need certain facilities that they can’t afford to buy. DTI may be of help to them,” he said.
Under the P700-million SSF program, facilities can be shared by beneficiaries such as cooperatives, institutions and communities, to help them become more competitive in the local and foreign markets. This is expected to further spur the growth of MSMEs.—Amy R. Remo
