DTI: Cebu to get over P19M for 18 shared service facilities

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu is getting over P19 million this year for 18 shared service facilities from the trade agency to be given to poor communities in the province to drive up the productivity of small entrepreneurs.

Seven of the proposed SSFs have already been approved amounting to P4.4 million while the other 11 are still up for approval, Department of Trade and Industry Cebu said. The proposals for approval could amount to P14.7 million.

DTI Cebu business development chief Elias Tecson said these facilities will start to be implemented by third quarter as they are yet in the procurement process, bidding, among others.

Tecson claimed the government process is relatively long.

Data from the department also suggested that some of these proposed SSFs still need business plan from the proponents, revision of proposals and are up for endorsement.

"For the 11 proposals [for approval], they are for further deliberation in the regional and national level. Others especially those projects reaching P5 million will be approved at the national level," he told The FREEMAN in an interview.

He said the agency is yet to formally launch six SSF projects funded by the 2014 budget this year but explained these machines have already been given to the project partners -- mostly cooperatives of small producers.

Yesterday, DTI Cebu turned over a P498,000-worth of SSF to the 200-member Mag-uumang Nagkahiusa sa Sam-ang ug Magdugo in Toledo City for technology upgrading of the agri-based products of its farmer members.

The farmer association is involved in the production of coconut products.

The SSF which started in 2013 is a big part of micro, small and medium enterprise development program of the trade department to provide small players with machinery and knowledge under a shared system. (FREEMAN)