BARA 2013 acknowledges micro-traders

CEBU, Philippines - A nationally-acclaimed award-giving body recently awarded 23 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country and recognized their exemplary performance and contribution to the business community and economy.

It was last December 28 that the Market Indicators Consultancy celebrated the Business Achievement and Recognition Awards (BARA) 2013 at the Quest Hotel in Cebu City.

Market Indicators Consultancy, chaired by Rey Calooy, is a Cebu-based enterprise advocacy group that awards the efforts of small-scale businesses. It aims to inspire MSMEs to grow their businesses further and excel in their respective fields. It is also responsible of conducting marketing research and surveys in search of business establishments with outstanding performance in delivering their products or services.

Calooy said in an interview that such initiative is designed to promote entrepreneurship and acknowledge the efforts of small-scale businesses towards pushing for creativity and innovation especially in terms of branding, customer satisfaction and product availability.

He added that MSMEs should be given ample support and recognition since they play an integral role of developing the local and national economy.

MSMEs comprise 99.6 percent of the total registered businesses in the country. Calooy cited that at present, the sector contributes more than 40 percent to the national economy, provides 70 percent of the total labor force in the country and about 60 percent of the export industry are subcontracted by MSMEs.

He advised existing entrepreneurs to invest on innovation and upgrade their knowledge in order to be capable of dealing with the competition in the industry and eventually prepare for the ASEAN economic integration by 2015.

“Dapat dili dali mo-surrender sa pagsulay. Sa negosyo, daghan ang downs kaysa ups, daghang problema kaysa dili, daghang internal conflicts especially in decision-making. Either you survive or you will be out of business,” he reminded.

He also raised the need to encourage more Filipinos to become entrepreneurs to address the increasing number of job seekers every year.

“We have more jobseekers than job creators. It is expected that fresh graduates shall prefer to be hired by an employer since his work experience will serve as a stepping stone and training ground before putting up a business. Trabaho usa negosyo to save for capital,” he said.

He further pointed out that Filipinos should develop and buy more local products to compete with the global market especially in agricultural products.

“Do not stay as buyers of internationally-made products. Do not wait for a time to become a nation of consumers,” he stated. Calooy is also known as Cebu’s Iron entrepreneur and the president of the Filipino Cebuano Business Club, Inc..

Calooy then congratulated this year’s awardees for being the most productive and competitive companies in the Cebu business community.

Among those national businesses that were awarded with a plaque and certificate of recognition include Pagilla “Gig” Engineering Review Center as the engineering review center of the year, RNC Marketing Philippines – KAPINOY as the 4-in-1 coffee of the year and Ultimate Visa Corporation as the immigration services provider of the year.

BARA 2013 also named Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes, Inc. as the funeral services provider of the year, Cebu Peoples Cooperative as the cooperative of the year, OCS Lending, Inc. as the financial assistance services provider of the year, Calda Pizza as the pizza house and non-mall based station of the year, Cokaliong Shipping as the shipping line of the year, Sto. Niño Review Center as the teacher’s review center of the year and B and J Computers of Bohol as the computer shop of the year.

Other MSMEs in Metro Cebu that were given recognition were Cebu Automechanika as the auto repair services provider of the year, El Salvador Beach Resort as the beach resort of the year, RJN Total Security Solutions Technology as the burglar alarm and security systems provider of the year, Allure Hotel and Suites as the business hotel of the year, Ma. Lina Catering Services as the caterer of the year, Ching Palace Restaurant as the Chinese restaurant of the year, Josrika Computer Training Center as the computer training center of the year, Vic Enterprises as the construction materials provider of the year, Human Factor as the consultancy and training services provider of the year and BBM Home Enterprises as the curtains and blinds provider of the year.

The BARA 2013 list also acknowledged Ocean Jet as the fast craft of the year, Jun Cañete Flower Shoppe as the flower shop of the year, Newsan Trading Ltd. Co., Inc. as the GICA and Domore brands distributor of the year, Cebu Diamond Iron Works as the iron works fabricator of the year, Ayer’s Lechon as the lechon maker of the year, Cebu Unique Trade Corporation as the paint distribution of the year. Ace Penzionne as the pension house of the year, Childlink Learning Center as the preschool of the year, Land Asia Realty and Development Corporation as the real estate developer and marketing services provider of the year, RDEX Food International Philippines, Inc. as the seafood product supplier of the year, Ludy’s Cake as the specialized cake maker of the year, and Jalkcaa Swimming Pool and Spa Builder as the swimming pool and spa builder services provider of the year.