MSMEs fueling Sarangani economy

KIAMBA, Sarangani, July 16 (PIA) -- The number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sarangani is growing each year driven by innovations introduced by the Uswag Sarangani program, said trade and industry officials.

Uswag, meaning “progress” in Visayan, stands for united towards a strong, wealthy and globally competitive Sarangani.

Since 2009, existing and new MSMEs kept a steady growth in number, business name registration (BNR) and new products.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Nenita Barroso said, “Uswag is our means to help reduce poverty in the province, because we can have more new businesses in the area, which means that our economy is increasing.”

“More entrepreneurs in the area mean more jobs. More products mean more sales hence, increasing money in circulation,” Barroso added.

In 2009, Sarangani listed 172 MSMEs, 177 in 2010, 255 in 2011 and 175 in the first half of 2012, data from the DTI said.

New BNR, on the other hand, posted 581 in 2009, 399 in 2010, 633 in 2011 and 417 as of June this year. From 2009, each year did not pass without at least a dozen new MSME products introduced to the market.

These data show that Uswag projects were contributing to the economy of Sarangani, Barroso said.

At the Uswag Sarangani 2012 opening ceremony on Monday, July 9, DTI Regional Director Ibrahim Guiamadel said one of the innovations was the opening of Uswag in different towns each year.

Guiamadel said Uswag’s goal is to create a “vibrant economy” fueled by MSMEs.

“Some of these (MSME) products have already reached the national trade fair. In fact the packaging now is globally competitive,” Guiamadel said.

Kiamba already has 686 MSMEs with license and P10 million new investments coming from MSMEs, he added.

Governor Migs Dominguez lauded Kiamba entrepreneurs for coming up with their own line of “Kiamba’s Best” products.

He also hinted at asking Representative Manny Pacquaio to be the endorser of “Kiamba’s Best.”

With the “world’s best endorser,” the governor told the entrepreneurs to maintain their products’ packaging, label, quality and consistency.

“Kiamba’s Best,” common brand of the town’s products, are bamboo shoots pickle, corned fish, Spanish sardines, fish paste, Elvie’s nipa vinegar, Elvie’s nipa sinamak, Joe Dels corn coffee, Joe Dels peanut butter, Joe Dels turmeric powder, Joe Dels salabat, Joe Dels native coffee, and Joe Dels tablea.

On the other hand, Cresing’s Food Products of Maitum credited MSME development programs like Uswag to its market sustainability and growth.

“Cresing’s sales considerably increased. Outlets have increased too. Cresing’s has become a by-word among tourists and bloggers,” Cresing’s said in a statement.

“Cresing’s has generated local employment. From rice and corn coffee, it has added other product lines with improved packaging.”

Cresing’s Food Products, established in 2006, pioneered the production of organic rice coffee and corn coffee. Some of Cresing’s leading products are rice coffee 3-in-1 plus moringa, Criselda Blend (roasted brown rice-based tea preparation in tea bag, enhanced with dried lemon grass and turmeric powder), colorless salted egg soaked in brine solution and home-grown herbs in a century-old jar called “wang-ging” by Ilocanos, “bagoong,” “dayok” and half-dried marinated “bangsi” (flying fish).

Uswag Sarangani is an adaptation of the MSME development week held nationwide every second week of July which Sarangani expanded into a month-long activity. This year banners the theme “Sarangan, Business Tayo.”

Uswag Sarangani has been institutionalized through Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 2006-5-053, “Adopting the Month-Long Celebration of Uswag Sarangani as Socio-Economic Festivity of Sarangani Province.”

In 2010, an innovation was made by having a component event, Uswag Goes to Town (UGTT), which brought USWAG to each of the seven towns of the province. Previous opening ceremonies of USWAG were done in Malungon in 2010 and Maitum in 2011.

UGTT aims to bring closer to the constituents in the municipality various business development and enabling services of the government and partner private sector. It also looks to strengthen linkage and partnership with the municipal local government units.

For 2012 Uswag, the set of activities include trainings and seminars, product development clinic, mobile trade fair and pasalubong kiosk and recognition of MSMEs. The UGTT dates are July 11, Malungon; July 17, Maasim; July 19, Alabel; July 24, Malapatan; July 26, Glan; and July 3, Maitum. (Serafin N. Ramos Jr./PIO Sarangani/PIA12 General Santos City)

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