COTABATO CITY – To support micro, small, and medium enterprises in Tawi-Tawi province, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) handed over Sunday, June 19, a processing equipment worth Php700,000.00 to SWC Sama Producers Cooperative (SSPC) in Bongao Municipality.
MOST Minister Engr. Aida Silongan, Deputy Minister Dan Salah Asnawi, and Bangsamoro Director-General Abdulrakman Asim spearheaded the turnover of the equipment, as well as the turnover of SSPC’s upgraded production site.
“I-maximize ninyo ang pag gamit sa processing equipment, kung mayroon pa kayong naiisip na produkto maliban sa native delicacies ay inyong gawin upang magkaroon pa ng mas malaking kita,” Minister Silongan said.
“Inaasahan namin na ang inyong native delicacies ay mabibili na sa mga pasalubong centers once ma-develop, ma-package ng maayos, magkaroon ng labelling ang inyong produkto through our MSMEs-UP Program,” she added.
The Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises – Upgrading Program (MSMEs-UP) supports cooperatives in the community by upgrading their production lines, training them on Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Halal Awareness, upgrading their production site and providing them with processing equipment.
Accordingly, the said program is designed to not only uplift the lives of cooperative members but also to help them earn high profits and improved competitiveness.
Director-General Asim stressed that the ministry’s support does not end after the processing equipment is handed over, rather, it should be operationalized and yield greater profits.
“Mayroon pang mga technology assistance na ibibigay sa inyo. Ini-encourage naming kayo na i-maximize ang paggamit ng mga processing equipment at ma-operationalize ng inyong organisasyon,” Asim said.
Coop President Sitti Rahsam Mohammad accepted and thanked the ministry for the project and said it is a great help and opportunity to the Muslim women.
“Kami po ay nangangako na patuloy po ang aming pasasalamat sa pamahalaan ng BARMM lalong lalo na sa MOST sa mga processing equipment at na-upgrade ang aming production site,” Mohammad said. (Majid Nur/BIO)
