By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Benigno Aquino III, since the start of his administration, wants an inclusive growth where everybody participates and reaps the benefits of economic improvement. Thus, programs and initiatives were introduced to achieve this vision.
The Shared Service Facilities (SSF) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is one of those initiatives aimed at bringing inclusive growth down to the grass root.
DTI-9 OIC-Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina Jain revealed that her office was able to turn-over 23 SSFs, including those that were delivered to the Babami Coop in Barangay Sto. Nino in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.
“The trail going there (Sto. Nino) is unbelievably arduous, even grievously dangerous. Yet the place hold so much promise for abaca and rubber plantation development and as an alternative source of high value veggies for Zamboanga City,” Dr. Jain said.
Just recently, DTI-9 turned over two sets of abaca processing machines – one for SARBEMCO, an agrarian reform cooperative (ARC) in Sulo, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay and another in ARBEMCO, an ARC located in Marcelo, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte, Dr. Jain added.
The abaca processing equipment turned-over to SARBEMCO and ARBEMCO cost P785,000 per set, consisting of five mechanized abaca spindle stripping machines, as well as a set of twining and rope-making machines.
Jain said some approved proposals are now ready for implementation and a good number are under evaluation under the SSF program.
“It doesn’t matter if the project is to be located in the heart of town or in the middle of nowhere so long as it will accomplish its purpose, then trust us that we will deliver it there. I, myself, have been to many of those places and I will continue to do so for as long as God grants me the strength and the opportunity of doing so, the DTI-9 chief said. (DTI9)