DTI lauds BDA local enterprise development effort in Mindanao
“I saw the interest from them to learn. Their products has quality and has a great potential to compete”, says Rachel Ann T. Funtillar, Trade and Industry Development Analyst of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Davao Field Office as she witnessed the endeavors showed by the different People’s Organizations (POs) and local enterprises during the Product Development Training and Local Study Tour on Enterprises on September 28- 30, 2016 at Davao City.
The activity was organized under the Programme for Local Economic Development through Enlightened Governance and Grassroots Empowerment (PLEDGE) implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).
Said training was aimed to capacitate local business services organizations in starting and growing their cost-effective quality businesses and learn and adopt strategies of existing enterprises.
The DTI has been constantly supporting the BDA- PLEDGE in all its trainings through sharing and giving out inputs on micro- small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as manifested in their presence during the training.
In a statement sent by Edwin O. Banquerigo, Assistant Regional Director, DTI XI, he stressed that DTI is “willing to partner to this (PLEDGE) undertaking particularly in the development and creating of MSMEs to serve as the engine of growth in achieving economic and financial freedom through building up sustainable businesses”.
Funtillar further appreciated PLEDGE such that “instead of conflict and war, they are now more focused on bringing out their desire in developing their enterprises. PLEDGE showed great opportunities for other people and it is inspiring”.
PLEDGE is the economic and livelihood component of Mindanao Trust Fund Reconstruction and Development Program (MTFRD) implemented by the BDA in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) as trust fund recipient that aims to contribute to confidence and peace building efforts through local economic development and sustainable livelihood creation in conflict affected areas in Mindanao.
It also aimed to help reduce poverty, promote inclusive growth, support confidence building and lasting peace in Mindanao through practical approaches on local economic development through enlightened governance and grassroots empowerment.
The program is supported by the MTF with various donors such as such as the European Union, the Swedish International Development Agency, the Australian Embassy Philippines, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada, the United States Agency for International Development, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the World Bank which also serves as trust fund secretariat.
(BDA Communication Group, Davao Region)