CALBAYOG CITY-The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Samar Provincial Office held a one-day Financing Forum and Entrepreneurial Development Training on June 11 at the Calbayog City Convention Center, this city. The training was part of what the agency is currently implementing which is the “SME (Small and Medium Entrepreneurs) Roving Academy” – a training program for “would-be entrepreneurs”, SME owners, and managers of micro-SMEs which aim to provide a continuous learning program for entrepreneurs to help them better set up and step up their operations, and improve their competitiveness, thereby facilitate easier access to domestic and international markets. Engr. Meilo Macabare, DTI provincial director, headed the pool of trainers who gave lecture about the recommended topics for the city intended to assist its enrolled SMEs for them to become aware of the salient features of the different financing programs, the procedure on how to avail them as well as know the government’s regulatory requirements that will guide them in their business operations.
Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino, a businessman himself, was one of the speakers who shared not only practical and impressive techniques in marketing, but also urged participants of the training to initiate innovations in marketing. He mentioned “mobile market” for meat and vegetables as one of these innovations instead of putting up a “sari-sari” store that, further he said, now exists anywhere. Moreover, Mayor Aquino lauded the kind of efforts and strategies of the DTI Samar Provincial Office which contributes to the growth of the SMEs. This, he believes, will definitely strengthen the city’s economy. He also expressed high hopes that with the activity, these SMEs will be able to help in stabilizing the city’s economy, and likewise push it to greater heights of economic development.
Other subjects discussed in the training were “The Preparation of BIR Reportorial Requirement” by Assistant Revenue District Officer Atty. James Balagapo Jr.;“How to secure Food and Drugs Administration Certificate” by Food Regulations Officer II Eugenia Castillote, and “The SME Rehabilitation Financing Program of DBP” by Roy Valuis of the SME Center.(AIMEE CATALAN/PR)
