The number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sarangani is growing each year driven by innovations introduced by the USWAG Sarangani program, according to trade and industry officials.
USWAG, which means “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 as shown by business name registration (BNR) and new products.
“USWAG is our means to help reduce poverty in the province, because we can have more new businesses in the area, that means that our economy is increasing,” Engr. Nenita Barroso, trade and industry provincial director, said.
“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, according to data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
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 shows that USWAG projects were contributing to the economy of Sarangani, Barroso said.
At the USWAG Sarangani 2012 opening ceremony here 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.
For his part, Governor Migs Dominguez lauded Kiamba entrepreneurs for coming up with their own line of “Kiamba’s Best” products.
He also hinted at asking Rep. 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 thru Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 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.
USWAG Goes to Town (UGTT) aims to bring closer to the constituents in the municipality various business development and enabling services of the government and partner private sector. Is also looks to strengthen linkage and partnership with the municipal local government units.
