DTI-7 aims to strengthen the SPIN program

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas office (DTI-7) is going to strengthen the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation (SPIN) program, despite the change of leadership in government.

DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said in an interview that the program has recently received a P2 million budget and that her office and the program's partner have already lined up activities for the rest of this year.

The SPIN program, a government-private sector undertaking conceptualized in Cebu, not only generates employment for weavers but likewise assists exports in increasing production volume of exported products.

Under the program, the weavers in the countryside are made to undergo skills training on weaving and craftsmanship after which, their hand-made products are brought by the exporters once these passed quality standards.

In this way, rebel returnees and indigents can immediately earn an income after a hard day's work with their earnings dependent on the number of products they make, Caberte said.

SPIN trainings are focused on a "market driven" scheme wherein the products to be made by the trained group are actual export orders. Most exporters who do not have enough workers to do the job orders of their clients subcontract some of these processes.

The program started in June 2008 with only P500 thousand budget, now benefits thousands of people and families from nine regions in the country, including regions, one, three, six, seven, eight, 10, 11 and 12.

Despite the drop of exports' orders since the global recession started, Caberte said orders are still increasing because participating export members of this program is largely coming from the gifts, toys, houseware products, and home furnishings.

According to Caberte the P2 million budget will be used for further training for more waivers, and also extend the program to other areas as possible.

Last year, close to three thousand beneficiaries of SPIN programs has already produced products for exporters worth P67.16 million in purchase order.

Months after the SPIN program was rolled out to cleared conflict areas and marginalized sectors in Central Visayas, residents who have been beneficiaries of skills trainings conducted by DTI-7 and GTH-Cebu and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), have already delivered the booked orders of exporters.

As of middle of last year, 45 municipalities have benefited from the program in Central Visayas. Around 77 trainings have generated 1,791 jobs. Booked orders for hapao baskets, placemats, tip towels and trays have reached P59.8 million. (FREEMAN)