CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PNA) -– About 11 community-based farmers and women’s groups in the Calabarzon region received machineries and equipment under the Dept. of Trade and Industry Shared Service Facilities Project since June this year.
The SSF project is a component of the DTI’s industry cluster development approach to increase production output and improve product quality resulting to higher levels of productivity and competitiveness.
DTI Calabarzon Regional Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo disclosed on Tuesday that the equipment include juice extractors, packaging machines, cooking equipment, coco coir twining machines and drying facilities have already been awarded to 11 cooperatives and rural improvement clubs and more would be benefitted.
Director Toledo said the SSF serves as the most concrete assistance the government provides for the development of enterprises particularly those community-based cooperatives and farmer groups in a bid to increase their chances in achieving inclusive growth.
Toledo explained that the shared service facility is intended for the common use not only for the beneficiaries themselves but for other players in the industry clusters as well.
The distributed equipment worth P 3.6-million comprises only 5% of the P70.5-million allocated by the national government for the region.
“Earlier this month, DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo ordered the temporary suspension of SSF grants in view of the recent issues involving the priority development assistance fund as some of the beneficiaries are non-profit organizations and foundations,” Toledo informed.
The DTI Calabarzon regional director pointed to the delay in view of the temporary suspension in the project’s timetable but assured more than P14-million worth of equipment are in the process to be awarded.
Charlie S. Dajao, DTI Calabarzon public information officer bared the list of the beneficiary-cooperators from Batangas as Riverside Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Kamahari Agri-Based Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Dajao also informed that the Cavite beneficiaries include Mother Bonifacia Rodriguez Foundation, Inc. and the Magallanes Women’s Club MPC while Laguna has Lingap sa Nayon ng Brgy. Anglas Cooperative.
Quezon recipients are Pinagdanlayan, Rural Improvement Club MPC, Samahan ng Kababaihan ng Alabat para sa Pangkabuhayan, Inc. (SANGKAP, Inc.), Agos ng Pag-asa MPC (APMPC), Calauag Small Coconut Farmers MPC (CSCF), Samahan ng Maliliit na Magsasaka sa Brgy. Apad Lutao (SAMABA).
In Rizal, Bangon Kababaihan, Bagong Cainta Inc. is the lone recipient so far.