Over the last year since the virtual Kadayawan in 2020 we in the business community have tried our best to help many businesses not only survive, but thrive in the new normal. When we talk about such things the word innovation often comes into mind.
Innovation, it must be remembered involves two main areas: doing the same thing in a new way, or doing new things to achieve the same purpose, which I this case is sustaining businesses and livelihoods.
Against the backdrop of the unprecedented economic challenges of 2020, several elements of Davao’s business community stand out in how they have been able to innovate and thrive. Innovation is also a theme pushed b business groups such as the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and industry, as it partnered early with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology to form the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC), furthering the aims of the Innovation Act of 2018 to spur innovation among local businesses.
It is worthwhile to look at many businesses in the city, which forged ahead with innovations to help them build resilience and creativity, which are essential elements for enterprises in the new normal.
In the agribusiness sector which is major component of Davao’s business community, Casuga Farms began as a producer of high quality fruits including cacao. As 2020 came in, the company, led by former Davao City Chamber of Commerce Vice President Cherrylin Casuga and her parents and other family members embarked on establishing a farm school that is one of the first agricultural training centers offering TESDA accredited farming courses including organic agriculture. Produce of their recent graduates are now sold at a major mall based supermarket in the city.
This farm school also pioneered in making local cheese and milk products and the Davao Box, an innovative product that brings Davao’s favorite fruits and delicacies straight to the homes of friends and loved ones in the national capital region in the iconic pomelo box, providing a new market for local farm produce. The company ships almost 100 kilos of products weekly to Metro Manila.
Likewise gaining popularity are farm resorts and farm based restaurants. Drawing in many customers is the famous Annipie bakeshop and restaurant, which has expanded in 2020 to different Mindanao cities and has recently opened Annipie at the Farm , a farm based resto in the Partoza Durian Farm in Matina Biao serving their favorite dishes including their well known cinnamon pastries. This concept brings the table to the farm, creating a restful breezy ambience to make a safe, and relatively easy to reach getaway for that long lunch within which the food and local fruits are enjoyed.
Another is Jamelle gardens in the cool clime of Eden in Toril, which offers open air safety for diners enjoying homemade recipes of the Solano family, which, while well known in the city’s construction sector as JFS electrical construction, has well diversified into this successful food venture. This enabled them to preserve the employment of many of their staff. Apart from well made “humba” and heirlom suman with sikwate, now creating a following among local foodies, the draw of this new haunt is the refreshing climate and the stunning view of the city. Who knows, we may see this venture blossom by offering delivering their favorites straight to your home.
In the restaurant sector, Patrick Co of the Fat Cow group was a hot new place in 2018 and 2019, earning raves from among local diners for the fusion inspired dishes, innovative desserts and high quality preparation. It transitioned early in 2020 into the takeout and delivery craze, training their staff in new skills and new ways of enjoying their favorites as frozen dishes as well as cooked party tray entrees.
In the large and important Information Technology Sector, Jobs E solutions headed by ICT Davao leader and former Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Vice President Belinda Torres was able to expand from being an outsourced provider of English language teaching to providing new products and services such as customized Learning Management System Platforms now sought by schools wishing to provide online or hybrid learning.
Another successful venture capturing increased interest in home gardening is JJI Organic Gardening and farm owned by husband and wife tandem of Jepoy and Joanne Igagamao. To offset reduced demand for garments provided by their company Shirt Style garments, they grew their farm venture to become a preferred distributor and provider of farm related equipments, inputs, planting materials and fruits including the increasingly popular Pitaya or dragon fruit.
Such innovations are worth emulating. May the Kadayawan season bring not only unity, but creativity, boosting Davaoeno entreprenurial innovations, providing an inspiration for a new breed of entreprenurs I the proverbial new normal.
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ENVIRONMENTAL COUNSELORS, INC.
Southern Philippines Office
3A Telstar st., GSIS, Matina, Davao City 8000
Tel: PLDT: (+6382)2758624 Smart:(+63920)9059709 Sun(+63923)2750540
Email: ecisouth@gmail.com
Website: www.eci.com.ph
