MCCI expands Obra-Negosyo-Skwela program

CEBU, Philippines - Following the support given by the Cebu Provincial government on its “Obra-Negosyo-Skwela,” the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is intensifying the implementation of the program to benefit the participating academe and towns.

MCCI president Eric N. Mendoza said the chamber was granted a P1.9 million budget by the Provincial government, through Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, and that it will help expanding the coverage of the beneficiaries of the program.

At present, Mendoza said there are at least 16 municipalities, and 16 micro-entrepreneurs who are participating with the program, emphasizing on the “big brother” concept, wherein successful businesses in Cebu will mentor small entrepreneurs in the far-flung towns, at the same time involving the students to be oriented in the real business field.

This tripartite venture, in cooperation with MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneur), academe and some members of the MCCI, is expected to boost the businesses in the participating towns, at the same time introducing the proper entrepreneurship field to students.

MCCI members already started its mentoring program, in cooperation with business and entrepreneurship students of member schools, to uplift the potential businesses of participating towns and entrepreneurs.

So far, Mendoza said the group started the development of “Kalamay making”, home-stay program for tourism hot-spots, footwear making improvement and development, “Uling making”, among others.

According to Mendoza, MCCI is going to expand the number of membership in the tripartite program.

Products and services showcase will be done every One-Cebu Exhibit, which is held in back-to-back with the Mandaue Business Month, every August.

According to Mendoza, the chamber is planning to expand the participating towns, entrepreneurs and the academe in order to help more micro industries in the rural towns to take advantage and recognize their potentials.

This program is just part of MCCI’s thrusts this year in providing venue and help businesses—big or small to survive, amid the threatening global competition.

Mendoza added that the chamber will establish strong advocacy that will emphasize the “beyond sustainability” programs, which means that member companies will be encouraged to implement programs that will not only prevent activities that damaged the environment, but also to introduce activities that will make the environment much better.

This year, Mendoza bared that MCCI members can expect more pro-active programs to be introduced by the chamber that will help members to become trend-setters in environment-related programs turning business to be in the fore-front of saving the sick environment.

Also, Mendoza said that while the chamber has inked several trade partnerships with other countries this year, it has to focus its penetration of trade partnership in neighboring Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Korea, and others. (FREEMAN)