DTI taps PBSP for Samar’s SMEs

DTI taps PBSP for Samar’s SMEs
By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante
Philippine Information Agency
March 27, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 27 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) engaged the cooperation of a non government organization (NGO) to boost Samar’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Meanwhile, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) - Strategic Corporate-Community Partnership (SCOPE) assists in identifying projects mutually beneficial to the company and the community. Through SCOPE, the SME will be able to look for a community that will produce the raw materials that the enterprise needs in its business.

One example given is the Calbayog Tinapa Processors Association that chooses a community that will culture the fish which it uses as raw product. The scheme will not only assure the tinapa makers (the association) of a steady supply of raw materials but will also provide steady income to the fisher folks in the community; the association is headed by Donato Abelda Jr.

"SCOPE has been designed to harness private sector’s competence and expertise in doing business to create employment," said Cebu- based SCOPE consultant Janina Wohlgemuth, in her visit to the SMEs with DTI folks in Calbayog and Catbalogan.

In Catbalogan, an Entre-Pinay , Lolita Cupido of Lolit’s Danguit (dried fish) would also like to have a community that will supply her "danguit" and a dryer. The dryer will be of use during rainy season.

The scheme for funding, DTI said will be 50/50 because even the company owner can benefit from the communities that will supply the raw materials.

But whether company leaders Abelda and Cupido will be granted the SCOPE benefits still remains to be under the consideration of the PBSP executives. Their proposals have yet to be approved, said DTI.

SCOPE projects have been successful with the SMEs in Cebu and in Mindanao.