LARENA, Siquijor (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has vowed to support the small business and local industries while ensuring consumer protection in the province.
During the ‘Kukabildo/Kapihan sa PIA’ program here, DTI-Siquijor provincial director Juliet Banogon discussed the Orientation on Investment Promotion in the province with the Local Economic Development and Investment promotion Officers (LEDIPOs), representatives from the academe, tourism officers, and information officers who compose the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID).
The orientation aimed to provide valuable insights and strategies on promoting investments effectively within the province as it covered the basics of investment promotion, the importance of foreign direct investments, effective investment strategies, the critical role if LEDIPOs and key partners, and updates on game-changing Philippine investment laws.
DTI-Siquijor provincial director Juliet Banogon said that part of its initiative is mentoring local business and helping them grow into successful entrepreneurs in the mainstream market.
She said that through its various programs, DTI aims to foster local industry development, enhance product quality, and prepare MSMEs for potential export opportunities.
Banogon said that while Siquijor is still in the early stages of developing full-fledged exporters, there are already signs of progress particularly the local products and delicacies which are gaining transactions through online platforms, with orders being fulfilled directly via social media.
“Locally diri sa Siquijor, wala pa man gyud tay matawag ug full-fledged because naa tay mga local products nga magpadala mi sa ilang mga produkto thru social media,” said Banogon.
(Here in Siquijor, we still don’t have what you would call a full-fledged exporter because our local products are mostly sent through social media.)
Banogon explained that one of DTI’s key areas of support is in food product packaging and labeling, which are crucial for meeting export standards and requirements.
“DTI will really help them go into the mainstream nga kung unsay kinahanglan para makagawas ang ilang mga produkto, specifically the food products, because dako kaayo ang mga programs para nila like labelling and packaging,” she said.
(DTI will really help them enter the mainstream by providing whatever is needed to get their products out, specifically food products, because we have significant programs for labeling and packaging.)
She also emphasized that in terms of industry development, DTI is placing a strong emphasis on the bamboo industry, wherein local furniture makers are supported by its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program.
The program provides essential equipment for bamboo processing and links with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to certify local trainers on engineered bamboo production.
“Taas pa kaayo tag padulngan pero at least gasugod nata thru providing equipment para maka-produce na gyud sila ug mga raw materials for their bamboo craft,” said Banogon.
(We still have a long way to go, but at least we’ve started by providing equipment so they can now produce raw materials for their bamboo craft.)
Banogon also encouraged MSMEs to take advantage of the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) registration, which offers significant benefits, particularly tax exemptions for minimum wage earners and businesses with capitalization of P3 million and below.
By focusing on innovation, upskilling, and providing the necessary resources and continued support, the future looks promising for Siquijor’s business landscape, she added. (CAG/PIA7 Siquijor)
