Hard work, gov't support key to success for small businesses

MANILA, Philippines - Sometimes hard work and perseverance alone do not guarantee success. Throw in a little government support, in terms of training and financing, then the formula for success is complete.

For Gil Navarro owner and president of Masantol, Pampanga-based, Navarro Foods, this formula did wonders for him and his family. From an enterprise earning a measly P200 a day, today Navarro Foods is a multi million-peso industry.

Navarro Foods produces and packages ‘taba ng talangka,’ ‘burong hipon,’ ‘burong dalag’ and ‘atsarang papaya’ among others. He started out with a motley crew of seven employees but now they employ 35 full-time workers. With a loan of P3.5 million from the government bank Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and another P1 million from the government’s Small Business Guarantee Fund, Navarro Foods is expanding its factory and its production to hit its demand especially in the export market.

About 750 allied workers or on call workers like ‘talangka,’ ‘sugpo’ and ‘dalag’ growers also benefit from the business Navarro started way back in 1978.

“It was only in 2002 that my business went full throttle with the DTI knocking at my doors to present opportunities and projects available for small businessmen like me. From then on, I started attending DTI trainings and seminars which contributed immensely to my knowledge of the business and from there, my business evolved into what it is today,” Navarro said.

Navarro Foods, widely available in all domestic supermarkets and stores, now exports to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Australia etc. and will further expand its international markets pending resolution of export permits.  

Navarro attributes his huge success on the government’s tireless efforts to support MSMEs. The DTI, providing training and seminars on micro, small and medium scale industries, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on food manufacturing process, packaging and labeling systems, government banks like DBP and other lending institutions for financing and the government in general for providing a very conducive climate for small entrepreneurs.

The government, according to him, equipped him with all the necessary tools and financing support to make his business a success.

“Malaking bagay ang tulong ng pamahalaan para sa isang di nakapag-aral na tulad ko upang maging matagumpay.” he said.

Navarro Foods is among the participating MSMEs at the One Town One Product trade fair and exhibit, and Negosyo seminar at San Nicolas, Lubao, Pampanga.

The fair and exhibit was visited recently by President Arroyo, who was presented an award and citation for her contributions to the growth of MSMEs.