Capitol partners with DOST, FDA for Sugbo Negosyo

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to improve the quality of products produced by the beneficiaries of the Capitol’s microenterprise assistance program---Sugbo Negosyo.

The agreement was signed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, DOST-7 regional director Jesus Zamora, and FDA director general Dr. Samuel Zacate on November 11.

Under the MOU, the FDA will provide understanding and training courses to establishments on the requirements of food and cosmetic product handling and safety regulation. Beneficiaries will be trained on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other good practices that will enable them to comply with the regulations.

FDA will likewise implement fully automated licensing and registration system ensuring regulatory compliance.

On the other hand, DOST will be providing technical advisory services, including product development and packaging improvement, elevating the quality and competitiveness of products produced by micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSME).

Likewise, DOST will facilitate the compliance with FDA standards through guidance on security necessary authorization for production, distribution, and sale of the products.

Under the agreement, DOST will also provide training sessions to the covered beneficiaries on best practices, including the GMP standards, food hygiene, and products labeling, among others.

The Cebu Provincial Government will assist the beneficiaries enrolled in the project, including facilitation of the required analysis necessary in complying with the requirements in securing FDA authorizations. The Capitol will also coordinate with the local government units for the issuance of business permits of the beneficiaries of Sugbo Negosyo.

The Capitol also distributed the first tranche of assistance worth P20,000 through the QR-coded cards to the Sugbo Negosyo 3 beneficiaries.  The cards will be used by the beneficiaries to redeem pre-approved items from Capitol’s partner merchants under the said program.

According to the Capitol Information Office, qualified beneficiaries under season 3 will receive a total of P200,000  assistance, which will be released in three tranches--P20, 000 (first tranche); P30, 000 (second tranche); and P150,000  for the third and final tranche to help develop the product.

Garcia said, learning from the first two seasons of Sugbo Negosyo, they want to help existing entrepreneurs to develop and boost their local business.

“We want to be able to develop the Cebu brand. We want to be able to help the existing needy, proven, existing entrepreneurs that just need a little push. Wala gyud kaangat kay wala lagi capital,” Garcia said. — /FPL (FREEMAN)