MSMEs, malls to help raise funds for rehab centers

A new project  to be rolled by the Department of Trade and Industry is expected to not only provide greater market access and exposure for the micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) but will help fund the construction of new drug rehabilitation centers.

The proposal is seen to complement President Duterte’s aggressive drive against illegal drugs.

The plan, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, was for the mall retailers like the SM Group, Rustans, Puregold and Robinsons to allocate a space for the products of MSMEs. This is just one of the measures being considered by the new administration to boost the access of MSMEs to the domestic market—a move that may eventually prepare these enterprises to embark on a bigger scale when they start exporting their products.

However, a portion of the retailers’ proceeds from the sale of these products would be allocated for the construction of rehab centers in anticipation of increased demand.

“Hopefully in the next two months, we will (be rolling out) this project within the department stores. We are planning to have a portion of the proceeds from this project to help the key program of President Duterte by helping provide rehab centers for those who are coming to the fold. With thousands surrendering, we really need more of these rehabilitation centers,” Lopez said.

Lopez added that they were looking to allocate 3 to 5 percent of the proceeds from the sale for the rehab center fund. “We’re still drafting the concept but we’re excited. We will let the respective malls run this business. The proceeds will be theirs (retailers) but we will ask for a percentage that will go to the rehab centers. There won’t be any profit for the DTI from this. We will only serve as the facilitator in this project,” Lopez stressed.