More SSFs for MSMEs in WV

Shared Service Facility on Loom Weaving in the Province of Aklan.

The government has poured in over P17-Million for the establishment of shared service facilities (SSF) to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Western Visayas, for the past three years.

Launched in 2013, the SSF project is a major component of the DTIs MSME Development Program aimed to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by providing them with machinery, equipment tools, and other auxiliary items, skills and knowledge under a shared system.

DTI OIC-Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon said that additional SSFs are already lined-up to be established this year. “The DTI is focused on assisting our MSMEs in the promotion of their products and services in the market,” she said.

As of December 31, 2015, there are already 52 SSFs in the region totaling P17,014,880.18.

The DTI Iloilo Provincial Office has established 13 SSFs amounting to P6,948.535.00 that includes facilities for food processing, furniture and furnishings, packaging and labelling, garment, coco fiber production, abaca stripping, and business resource centers.

In Capiz, the DTI has put up seven facilities amounting to P2,924,889.00 for the establishment of SSFs on coco oil mill, tools packaging facility, wearables, deboned bangus, abaca stripping and business resource center.

The DTI Aklan Provincial Office has established 23 SSFs on abaca loom weaving and one business resource center totaling P2,900,370.00. While, Guimaras availed of two SSFs - hot water treatment for mango and business resource center – totaling P1,328,580.18.

In Antique, an SSF on coffee processing and a business resource center was established totaling P1,177,448.00; and, Negros Occidental has four SSFs - high speed sewing machines, garments, vermi composting, and business resource center - with a total project cost of P1,735,058.00.

“This program is designed to assist MSMEs lacking facilities and equipment that entails huge capitalization in order for them to compete in the market,” explained Henry Tampani, DTI VI Senior Trade and Industry Specialist.

While the DTI is responsible for the establishment of these facilities, Tampani said that the agency has partnered with “cooperators” to manage the SSFs. “MSMEs who wants to avail the services offered by these facilities pay a minimal fee for its maintenance,” he said.