The government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hands out a total of P3.6 million worth of shared service facilities to three beneficiaries as the move towards inclusive growth ripples to two Bohol towns, December 21.

No less than DTI Region 7 Director Aster Caberte and Bohol Provincial Director Maria Elena Arbon lead the formal   launching   ceremonies of two Shared Service Facility (SSF) projects in Loboc and Lila towns.

The Loboc Youth Band Parents Multi-Purpose Cooperative of barangay Calunasan Norte received a P2.98-M woodworking facility, which would greatly enhance local incomes as well as up-grade local woodworking craftsmanship as the Asian integration starts.

Woodworkers in Loboc town are renowned, but the lack of focused support kept the industry from fulfilling what it should have achieved, local leaders admit.

“We believe that given the new facility and the equipment available for members, it might not be long for Loboc to mainstream again its woodworking industry,” a Calunasan Norte local official said.

Meanwhile, in nearby Bahian, Rural Improvement Club Women’s Association of barangay Bahian also got 4 Yanuya Sewing Machines, which they hope to level-up the local souvenir and novelty items industry.

The new P193, 800 shared service facility for its members comes at a time when Loboc women RIC members recall the great flood last year which sidelined most of their previous preoccupations.

“This would be a good start,” a member of the RIC said, considering that not so far away is a main tourism hub, which could use their souvenir items as display.

“We are seeing additional income and more easy access to technology, as the government through the DTI has set up a facility where the technical help can easily be centered,” she added.

On the other hand, the Local Government Unit of Lila also received meat processing facility for its local food processors.

The facility, which costs P470, 450 is set in Barangay Canduang.

The launching activities were in the two towns, witnessed by the beneficiaries, local government officials led by Loboc Mayor Helen C. Alaba, Argeo Melisimo of Loboc Youth Band Parents MPC, Governor Edgar Chatto and Glenn Doloritos.

In her message during the launching, Director Caberte talked about inclusive growth, replicability and sustainability as DTIs key driving factors in the promotion and development of micro, small and medium enterprises.

“Through the SSFs, we are continuously promoting innovation and product   development   including   the   creation   of   a   nurturing   environment   for   MSMEs   in   the countryside, to improve productivity and competitiveness,” Caberte said.

“I am hoping that two or three years from now, the beneficiary groups of all our SSF projects will become   self-sustaining   social   enterprises   that   can   readily   compete   in   the   global   market,”Caberte finished.

DTI envisions the SSF to address the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry clusters to improve the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.(rac/PIA-7/Bohol)