DTI helps biz folks in Cagayan Valley

By Leander C. Domingo

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela -- The Dept. of Trade and Industry in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) said it is equipping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region with proper interventions.
    DTI Region 2 Director Leah Pulido said during a recent regional consultation workshop led by the agency that the DTI is geared toward helping the MSME sector "to grow and optimize its contribution to rebuilding the economy."
    The DTI Region 2 convened earlier this month the Regional MSME Development Council, members of the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (PMSMED) Council, regional line agencies’ representatives, private sector, academe, MSME sector, and other relevant stakeholders.
    Held in Cauayan City in Isabela, the consultation aimed to bare plans for MSMEs through the regional consultation workshop for evaluation of the MSME Development Plan 2017-2022 and drafting of MSMEDP 2023-2028.
    Pulido said the consultation also aims to review the current plan which is already in its final year of implementation, to realign the activities and discuss possible areas of collaboration focusing on MSMEDP strategic goals and objectives.
    During the consultation workshop, Pulido bared the agency's goal of focusing on the strengths of the region and aligning all efforts toward one direction, particularly the positioning of Region 2 as an industrial supplier of pre-processed products; developing export commodities such as ube, mungbean and aquamarine products; and continuous upgrading of MSME and product certifications.
    Also, the goal is to focus on the needed approach to development and support for MSMEs to continuously innovate and become globally competitive, she added.
    Ramil Garcia, DTI-SME Development division chief, and lawyer Michael Paggabao, DTI assistant division chief, also discussed during the consultation the region's accomplishments and unique interventions for MSME development.
    Garcia said these interventions include the Buy Local Advocacy, Walang Sayang Project, One Town One Product or OTOP Hub on Wheels, Grand Bagsakan, Youth Entrepreneurship Program for Indigenous Peoples, culture-oriented product development, mentoring sessions, financing programs, livelihood seeding programs, export, and e-commerce initiatives, among others.
    Some 50 participants in the workshop also shared valuable insights on the challenges and gaps encountered in accomplishing the plan targets, and how to address them to attain the region's development goals toward the improved business environment, capacity and opportunities.
    Startup PH founder Carlo Valencia who served as facilitator of the workshop noted that among the outputs presented were the strategic goals, challenges and opportunities, strengths, and gaps in the MSME Plan in terms of reaching targets, executing identified strategies and visioning for the MSME sector.
    Henry Conel Jr., DTI Cagayan provincial director, commended the outputs of the participants and the strategies presented by Valencia.
    Conel also acknowledged the commitments of the participants to help advance the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs in the region.
    Pulido said the DTI Region 2 is hoping to craft a more effective strategy and approach toward addressing the needs and clamors of the MSMEs in the Cagayan Valley region, which comprises the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and the island province of Batanes.