MSME LEADERS. Three micro-entrepreneurs in the Cordillera were cited by 'Go Negosyo' for inspiring small businesses during the National MSME Summit in Manila on Tuesday (July 18, 2023). They are Elvira D. Dupli of Y-Kalinga Tapis Handloom Woven Products based in Tabuk City; Di Anne P. Mendoza of Breastfeeding Care Center of the North in Baguio City; and Dean Michael T. Cuanso of Watwatworld Creative Media and Accents and Petals in Benguet province. (Photo courtesy of DTI-CAR Facebook Page)
BAGUIO CITY – Three business innovators from the Cordillera Administrative Region were cited during the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Summit in Manila on Tuesday.
Recognized were Elvira D. Dupli of Y-Kalinga Tapis Handloom Woven Products based in Tabuk City, Kalinga; Di Anne P. Mendoza of Breastfeeding Care Center of the North in Baguio City; and Dean Michael T. Cuanso of Watwatworld Creative Media and Accents and Petals in Benguet province.
They were acknowledged for inspiring other Filipinos by joining the business sector as the most promising and inspirational micro-entrepreneurs.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and “Go Negosyo” founder Joey Concepcion handed the award during the event.
In a statement, Concepcion said the award seeks to acknowledge MSM entrepreneurs for their leadership role in their respective enterprises “which led to their success and for being an inspiration to other Filipinos in taking the route towards entrepreneurship.”
The three were chosen from 200 MSMEs as the “Go Negosyo Most Inspiring MSMEs 2023 (micro category).
The summit underscored the importance of empowering MSMEs by elevating their capabilities, enhancing their skills, and expanding their operations to thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Anchored on the theme “Upgrade, Upskill, and Upsize MSMEs," at least 800 participants from the ranks of entrepreneurs, tech startups, academe, business experts, mentors, and enablers.
Government programs
In an interview, Juliet Lucas, director of the DTI in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), said July is being celebrated as MSME development month.
She said the agency is currently assisting more than 20,000 MSMEs and farmers.
Lucas added that training to enable MSMEs maintain online presence is also provided.
“Online presence is important, especially with the changing buying behavior of people who utilize the internet in looking for items they need,” she said.
Hope to tablea maker
Dolores Ortega of "Ortega’s Chocolate" in Conner Apayao said they had received assistance from the DTI, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in boosting their production and revenue.
From being assisted to rejuvenate the old trees planted in the 1950s and simple processing using a crude system, the DA gave them a grinder for better processing.
Likewise, the DTI assisted her father with guidance under "Go Negosyo” while the DOST gave them processing, grinding and packaging equipment.
Dolores said she took over the business from her father and is currently assisted through the DTI's “Kapatid Mentor Me” program, allowing her to join agro-industrial and trade fairs.
“They (government agencies) are enablers because our limited resources do not suffice, we cannot do it if we are on our own,” Dolores said.
At present, the company's annual cacao beans harvest reaches up to a ton as it sells an average of 200 boxes with eight pieces of tablea chocolates to a cooperative in Tuguegarao every month. (PNA)
