Foundation for women mulled

CEBU, Philippines - Women leaders in Cebu plans to establish a foundation for women to help empower women entrepreneurs in the province.

This was announced by Women in Need Now Entrepreneurs and Role Models chairperson Carmel Salvador as the program marks its fourth year. WINNERs was conceptualized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry's as one of the highlights of the Mandaue Business Month.

The bid to create a foundation for women has gained the support of Cebu vice governor Agnes Magpale who expressed commitment to encourage the leaders of the local government units to support this cause.

Magpale said that ever since her political career started as Provincial Board member years back, her advocacy has been on the development of women welfare. In fact, she was able to establish the Provincial Women's Commission, which takes care of the abused women in the province.

This time, Magpale said it is time to replicate the noble program started by the MCCI throughout the province. She said she invited 10 mayors from different towns in Cebu, specifically within the Metro Cebu area to witness the grand coronation event of this year's WINNERs event to be held on August 27, 2014.

Salvador, however said that the replication of the WINNERs program in the towns will largely depend on the willingness of the LGU leaders to support the program.

The WINNERs program was initiated by MCCI to recognize model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue who are struggling to rise from poverty through their small business ventures. Their stories of perseverance and creativity is seen to inspire other women to be empowered.

Over the weekend, the organizers led by Salvador introduced 20 women entrepreneurs from the different barangays of Mandaue City for this year's contest.

After the program gained support from other national and international organizations, Salvador said it is high time for the program to be expanded and will include the entire province of Cebu, considering that there are a lot of women who are worth recognizing.

Significantly, she said the installation of the foundation will sustain the assistance mechanism and program intended by this segment of women in the society, by providing them the right technology, training, as well as financial assistance to grow their businesses.

Likewise, Salvador mentioned that that the working committee for WINNERs program is actively looking at possibilities of establishing a bank dedicated to serve the basic financial needs of this particular segment.

"In the last three years, we’ve seen the struggles of the ordinary women working hard and become role models in their respective communities, promoting and encouraging entrepreneurship and yet they are not recognized, or even given opportunities to grow,” said Salvador.

She said there are a lot of local and international organizations locally that could support this plan.

"Technical training is very important in order for women to be encouraged in growing their small businesses, and increase their ‘self-worth’,” said Salvador.

The goal now is not only to make province-wide but hopefully in the long run, will develop into a national advocacy.

“They are part of the eco-system in the business community, they should be given a place in the development. MCCI recognized this need,” Salvador said expressing hope that this movement may drum up more support from local and international organizations, whose primary advocacy is on helping the women micro-entrepreneurs.

In a separate interview with Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ma. Teresa Chan, she said that the chamber is willing to partner with MCCI on this cause.

Chan, the first woman president of the CCCI, said that a unified effort will work effectively, and that the chamber will soon formally talk with MCCI on this particular program.

This year's contestants of WINNERs, mostly young mothers who chose to put different hats in their everyday lives, that includes being the breadwinner of the family through their small businesses such as online-vending, sari-sari stores, barbeque stalls, networking and direct selling business, carinderia, and small internet cafe, among others. (FREEMAN)