BALANGA CITY, Bataan , Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bataan yesterday bared that P15 million worth of facilities were given to small and medium entrepreneurs across the province to accelerate their production.
DTI-Bataan officer-in-charge Nelin Cabahug said that under the new Shared Service Facility (SSF) program of DTI, small and medium enterprises were given better technology and more sophisticated equipment to improve the competitiveness of businesses.
“The program aims to address the production gaps and bottlenecks in the industry clusters through the provision of processing machines and equipment,†Cabahug said.
She explained that they have identified specific industries in the province to help such as a bamboo business owner which were given new machines and facilities to speed up production and expand export business.
About 10 SSF’s would be establish in the province reportedly amounting to P15 million. More than 1,500 processors engaged in the manufacture of bamboo products, coffee, processed food, bags, and organic fertilizer are expected to benefit from the new program in eleven towns and this component city of the Bataan peninsula.
According to Amanda Battad, president of the Bataan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., many entrepreneurs are hampered with the lack of equipment to expand their industrial and commercial operations.
“With the assistance of DTI, our chance of finding the next successful entrepreneurs becomes bigger,†said Battad, established the flourishing Amanda’s Marine Products through DTI’s support.
This new development program, among other DTI services, was introduced to newly-elected Bataan governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia after DTI-Bataan conducted courtesy visits recently. Other programs discussed were the local investment and incentive code, consumer welfare and protection, and the strengthening of local coordinating council.