CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — A total of six cooperators in Pampanga have received equipment and machinery from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program.
Recipients include the San Fernando Lantern Makers Association, which received P978,555 worth of machines; the Sweet and Delicacies Association of Pampanga, with P640,000 worth of assistance; and the Paroba Matamo Livelihood Business Agriculture Association, which received P456,000 worth of machines.
Also benefitting from the program were the Kabuhayan ng mga Kabarangay Tungo sa Tagumpay, which received P281,000 worth of handicrafts production and processing machines; the Talete King Panyulung Kapampangan Foundation, with P248,100 worth of sealers and shrink tunnel; and the Domalouis Farmers Association, Inc., which received P220,000 worth of water hyacinth and seagrass production, weaving, and processing equipment.
During the turnover ceremony, DTI Pampanga Provincial Director Elenita Ordonio congratulated the cooperators for successfully managing their respective SSF projects.
She assured the beneficiaries that the agency will continue to support them even after the turnover of the facilities.
“We have an usufruct agreement with the cooperators within two years to monitor if the equipment is still being used properly, if they generated additional employment, and if they have increased sales for us to donate the equipment to them. But it doesn’t end there. After the turnover, we will monitor you to ensure that the objective of the program is fulfilled and if the equipment is used for the intended purpose,” she said.
She added that the beneficiaries will also be provided with assistance such as consultations, market matching, and participation in trade fairs.
Ordonio also urged the cooperators to report issues and concerns regarding the operation of the facility so the DTI can monitor them and provide the necessary interventions.
“We also want them to maintain their greening program to protect the environment. We are also promoting the concept of green economic development for sustainability,” she added.
Aside from the turnover of SSFs to qualified cooperators, DTI also awarded packaging and labeling design prototypes to 12 cooperatives to help improve product marketability and consumer recall.
Two micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), namely Lola Puring’s Food Products and Jejen S.W.E Enterprises, were also conferred with Halal Certification.
Meanwhile, Ordonio also called on existing and prospective entrepreneurs to avail of the different services of the agency, such as training and capacity building, as well as various programs relating to business development. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
