Business for displaced workers at SBMA

MANILA, Philippines - Displaced workers at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are to become entrepreneurs, as making businessmen out of workers who lose their jobs inside SBMA is the objective of an agreement entered into between SBMA and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE).

SBMA and PCE signed recently a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a collaboration in the conduct of a “Go Negosyo” seminar series for displaced workers at the SBMA.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said the seminar will initially benefit 200 former workers in the freeport who are planning to venture into small business enterprises (SMES), particularly in the tourism industry.

“SBMA’s move to make businessmen out of displaced workers is a step in the right direction,” Ma. Jose Conception III, PCE founding trustee, said, adding that small enterprises make our economy stronger.

According to Arreza, the entrepreneurship program goes beyond offering displaced workers an alternative to their lost job.

“These displaced workers will become employers and create more jobs,” Arreza said, claiming that the multiplier effect of the program in job creation makes this in keeping with the mandate of SBMA.

Concepcion explained the training will give emphasis on making the business profitable. “Technique in putting up the correct business and making them profitable is the core of the education process,” he said.

Founded by Concepcion, PCE is a non-profit organization that advocates “Go Negosyo” and believes that Filipinos can address poverty by engaging in entrepreneurship.

Both Arreza and Concepcion agree that the training is essential to motivate Filipinos to think business, become working entrepreneurs and create jobs.

The MOU signing by Arreza and Concepcion at the Manila Polo Club in Makati was witnessed by SBMA labor manager Severo Pastor, Jr., SBMA public relations manager Armina Belleza Llamas, PCE executive director Ramon Lopez, and PCE programs development manager Myra Dorothy Lorredo.