The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awarded eight Shared Service Facilities (SSFs) to cooperatives and 240 livelihood starter kits to internally displaced people last 17 June. DTI heads the Bangon Marawi Subcommittee for Business and Livelihood and has distributed 10,498 dressmaking, bigasan, sari-sari store, baking, and carinderia starter kits since the Marawi siege in 2017.
“Alam ko na ang nangyari sa atin ay masakit, pero kailangan nating mag-pursigi para gumanda ang ating buhay. [I know what happened to us was painful, but we have to strive for our lives to be better],” said Undersecretary for Special Concerns Abdulgani Macatoman who led the program.
The eight SSFs were awarded to the following cooperatives:
- My Deen Consumer Cooperative (food catering and Halal food)
- Maranao Collectibles Services Cooperative (langkit weaving and business)
- Tago-a-Ranao Marketing Cooperative (dressmaking for Muslim women apparel)
- Masiap Livelihood Service Cooperative (commercial bakeries)
- Brilliant Garment Producer Cooperative (garments and other related products)
- NPC Tree Farmers Producer Cooperative (baor making)
- Lower Bangon Marawi Consumer Cooperative (palapa production and marketing)
- Mandara RR Multi-purpose Cooperative (concrete hollow block manufacturing)
Usec. Macatoman added that the DTI is still accepting SSF applications from cooperatives and that the department, through its regional offices, is willing to assist cooperatives who need help in crafting the needed proposals. Aside from the eight SSFs, DTI also approved 24 more proposals from Maranao cooperatives.
Mr. Jardin Samap, Chairperson of the Maranao Collectibles Services Cooperative, said that their group also attended the trade fairs and training organized by DTI.
“Malaki ang tulong na kayang ibigay ng DTI sa bawat Pilipino na tulad natin na gusting umahon sa kahirapan. Makakaasa kayo na mas lalo kaming magpupursigi para ma-reach naming ang international market para makatulong kami sa kapwa, [The DTI can be a big help to Filipinos like us who want to rise from poverty. Rest assured that we will work hard to reach the international market so we can help our fellowmen,]” Mr. Samap said.
Also in attendance were DTI Undersecretaries Ruth Castelo and Rafalelita Aldaba, Assistant Secretaries Blesila Lantayona, Demphna Du-Naga, Ameenah Fajardo, and Mary Jean Pacheco; and Regional Director Linda Boniao.