TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Trade and Industry-8’s Shared Service Facilities (SSFs) are crucially improving the productivity and competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.
In DTI’s year-ender Shared Service Facility Summit in Eastern Visayas, the agency reported that the SSF program has been providing MSMEs across the region better access to technology and more sophisticated equipment that has boosted productivity and improved efficiency.
According to DTI-8, there are already 156 SSF projects established across the region in 2024, 109 of which are operational, 19 are partially operational, and 36 are non-operational.
MSMEs often struggle with the high costs of purchasing state-of-the-art machinery or specialized equipment. These SSFs offer a shared access model where small businesses can use these resources at a fraction of the cost. This access allows them to produce higher-quality products, reduce production time, and enhance operational efficiency.
By sharing expensive resources such as machinery, tools, and even office facilities, the MSMEs in the region has significantly reduced capital expenditure and operational costs, it was learned. This shared economy model has ensured that small businesses do not have to bear the financial burden of purchasing or maintaining expensive equipment.
Tito Cabintoy of the Barangay Cabacungan Multipurpose Cooperative, Merlina Lumakin of the Sto. Niño de Plaridel Multipurpose Cooperative, and Rammel Sacobos of the Baybay Dairy Cooperative, are among the three successful cooperators in the region who shared during the summit on the positive impact that SSF program has brought to their cooperatives.
They said, the program has thus far been sustained by faithful stewardship of the facilities that has been granted and entrusted to them by the government, maximization of the training and market interventions provided by DTI, and commitment to meeting the requirements for facility turnover.
They also highlighted the importance of the organization’s structure and policies, the members’ strict adherence and commitment, and scrutiny in keeping their documents.
The DTI-8 and its provincial offices vow to ensure that every SSF established will remain operational.
DTI has supported the creation of SSFs to foster growth and development in MSMEs. These facilities are typically located in strategic areas, offering services such as marketing, production assistance, and financial guidance.
By addressing key challenges such as access to capital, technology, and expertise, SSFs are playing a pivotal role in helping MSMEs scale up their operations, reduce costs, enhance their overall productivity, and ultimately, contribute to their long-term sustainability and success in the competitive market.
(ACR/PIA Eastern Visayas)
