Bricks bridge rural industry for sustainable community

Purok O. Belo Pottery Makers Association of San Felipe in Tantangan witnessed the signing of contract for the provision of Business Development Services (BDS) to the potters of the village. The project will include provision of enterprise development trainings, organizational development, product enhancement and development and others. 

Rex Soliven, president of POPMA, expressed its thanks for the assistance of RuMEPP. He believes that this project will help improve the products of local potters as well as help them understand the business cycles. Director Flora Gabunales of DTI SC is affirms the continued commitment to the development of rural micro-entrepreneurs.  

This initiative is in coordination with the Mindanao State University GenSan MPC. The project is supported by the Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Programme (RuMEPP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). RuMEPP is a poverty alleviating programme of the Government of the Philippines. 

DBP team strengthened and re-energized

Culture of peace at the workplace became the central theme of the recently concluded teambuilding activity of the staff on Development Bank of the Philippines--General Santos City Branch on November 20, 2010 at Lorega, Bukidnon (BUDA Area). Thanks to Sir Boyet, Mam Gemma and the rest of the DBP GenSan Team for a wonderful experience of understanding the corporate culture and allowing me to use peace-based (culture and development) approach in synergizing a team. 

The teambuilding activity is summarized as follows: 

“TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More.”

Each session was devoted to self and others (THE PERSONS). The sessions believed in the contribution of inner’s personality to company’s developmental goals and aspirations. Each discovered on all possible types of conflicts and how are we going to address them. The session adhered to the principles of peace. At the end of all sessions and workshops, the activity hoped to have contributed to two of the five dimensions of change; that are personal and relational. These dimensions of change are also incorporated in the teamwork principles of group initiatives, leadership, and attainment of goals. 

Young hearts response to global climatic changes uniquely exposed

FORMULA 2010: Young hearts responses to global climatic changes. This was the theme of the recently concluded 2010 Math-Science Congress at Shalom Crest Wizard Academy in General Santos City on November 19-20, 2010.

Elementary and high school students from SCWA gathered to discuss issues on climate change in a fun and unique learning experience. The opening program commenced with the lighting of the torch and film showing of climate change related documentaries. The Official delegates of the congress were also presented to the members of the SCWA community.

The congress included the following activity. A debating competition was held. Student writers and leaders were also taught on making activity design that provides contribution to climate change issues. The proposals were presented to the members of City Council on November 20, 2010 in line with a tree-planting activity in Buayan River. Buayan River is recently known flood-prone area in General Santos City after typhoon Ondoy slightly hit the area in 2008. (Additional information: during rainy days, the road from Buayan going to Alabel is always flooded.)

Meanwhile, young artists were given chance to express their opinions about climate change through posters. A Climate Quiz Bee became another information drive as well. The Elemental Night on the evening of November 19 gathers various community-stakeholders on climate justice in SCWA.

(I am so glad that I was given a chance to be among the activity’s resource persons. Thanks to Jovar and Miss Erma for the assistance.)

Green novelty items readied for Christmas

Wastes corn husks from the corn fields of Centrala, Surallah, South Cotabato were never wastes. It is a "green" earth friendly material and it has provided income opportunities for poor families in Centrala, Surallah, South Cotabato. 

On November 22-23, 2010, 25 youth and women of Centrala reinvigorate their skills in making novelty items made from corn husks. This time their expected outputs are Christmas related novelty items that include wreaths, balls, Santa Clause, Christmas Trees and the like. Also, the tradition of making dolls that are replicas of the indigenous peoples in the barangay (village) and neighboring municipalities is still present.

Mrs. Neza Prayco, the trainer, is an advocate of using earth friendly materials in making novelty items. She has been in corn husk products making for many years as a volunteer trainer at elementary and secondary schools in her Municipality, in neighboring towns and with other Programmes and local government units.

The activity is being supported by the Rural Micro-Enterprise Promotion Programme (RuMEPP)in South Cotabato of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) It is co-implemented by the Women Indigenous Focus for Enhancement, Inc. (WIFE).

If you want more information about the products of Allah Valley Crafters Association, Neza’s Novelty Items and Pag-asa Youth Association of Central contact (+63) 0917-347-0832.

DTI Provincial Director Flora Gabunales is very optimistic that green-based products will be continue gain market acceptance as climate change adaptation campaign is very strong both in urban and rural setting.

Lantaw: Glimpse of RuMEPP Implementation in South Cotabato (Series P09 Projects, Batch 1)

ERNS

The Mid-Term Implementation of RuMEPP in SC (January-August 2010)

Tagalog News: Micro-Enterprise Convergence Caravan Project ipinapatupad kasabay ng 10th T'nalak Festival

(Mula sa PIA 12.gov)
by Drew Hornales

Koronadal City (5 July) -- Kasabay ng ika-10 taong pagdiriwang ng T'nalak Festival sa South Cotabato, ipinapatupad ng Department of Trade and Industry ang Micro-Enterprise Convergence Caravan Project na may layong paunlarin ang entrepreneurial skills ng mga mamamayan lalo na yaong mga nasa rural areas.





Ayon kay DTI South Cotabato Provincial Director Flora P. Gabunales, ang Micro-Enterprise Convergence Caravan Project ay bahagi ng Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Programme (RuMEPP) na naglalayong maitaas ang entrepreneurship sa pamamagitan ng pag-develop ng kasalukuyang Micro-Enterprises (MEs) o paglikha ng panibagong MEs.
Ani Gabunales, ang pagsagawa ng Trade and Micro-Enterprise Public Advocacy Conference at orientation ng technology, trade projects at programs ng iba't ibang government line agencies ay itatampok sa week-long celebration ng T'nalak Festival.

Nagpahayag ng tiwala ang pamunuan ng DTI na sa pamamagitan ng Micro-Enterprise` Convergence Caravan Project ay maitaas ang kita at job opportunities hindi lamang sa mga rural communities kundi pati na rin sa buong lalawigan ng South Cotabato. (PIA12)

Pasalubong Mobile sang DTI-South Cotabato, naglibot na sa probinsya

KORONADAL CITY - Ginpatigayon ang isa ka malapnagon nga product promotion pinaagi sa "Pasalubong Mobile kag sa United Processors and Producers of South Cotabato angut sa Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Programme (RuMEPP) sang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sa probinsya sang South Cotabato.



(from http://www.bomboradyo.com)

Nagsugod nga maglibot ang pasalubong mobile, isa ka mobile store-type, sa bug-os nga probinsya gikan pa sang Hunyo 22 tubtub 30 kag posible nga makaangkon liwat sang tsansa nga makalibot sa bug-os nga probinsya para sa isa ka product and micro-enterprising promotion sa masunod nga mga bulan.

Sa isa ka advocacy conference, ginpahayag ni DTI Provincial Director Flora Gabunales nga ang nasambit nga programa ang isa ka malapnagon nga kampanya sa pagpaumwad sang business development services nga mabaton sang mga magagmay nga negosyante sa probinsya.

Ginahulat man ni RuMEPP Provincial Officer Ernesto Casiple Jr. ang tanan nga mga interesado nga magagmay nga negosyante nga mangin benepisyaryo sang nasambit nga programa.



Nagpatuman man ang nasambit nga ahensiya sang "RuMEPP sa Radyo," isa ka aktibidad sang programa nga may tinutuyo nga makadul-ong sang impormasyon sa mga malayo nga lugar sang probinsya angut sa micro-entrepreneurship kag ginpasiguro nga makalab-ot didto ang nasambit nga serbisyo.