TWENTY-three micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Pangasinan received certificates of Shared Service Facilities (SSF) projects during visit of President Aquino to Dagupan City last Monday.

Mr. Aquino pointed out that the 49 SSF projects in Pangasinan has helped increase production volume, market capture, and sales generation of cooperatives and MSMEs in the country since the program started in 2013.

SSF is part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) “Big Push Program” geared at helping MSMEs gain a foothold in the global market by providing modern processing machineries for the common use of the cooperative members.

The President cited livelihood groups in Dagupan, Sto. Tomas and Binmaley that have increased production volume and improved sales because of the facilities granted to them.

Among the economic activities assisted were bangus processing, bagoong processing, and engineered bamboo production.

DTI undersecretary for Regional Operations Group, Zenaida Maglaya said the latest batch of beneficiaries in the province were the Colayo Organic Farmers Association (Bani), Farmers Agricultural Development Association (Bolinao), local government unit (LGU) of Dasol, LGU-Infanta, Binmaley Rural Improvement Club (Binmaley), Bugallon Federation of Free Farmers Marketing Cooperative (Bugallon), LGU-Lingayen, Cabaluyan 2nd Bamboo Manufacturers and Growers Association (Mangatarem), Aliguas Blacksmith Workers Association (Calasiao), LGU-Dagupan City, Kislap Candy Workers Association (Manaoag), LGU-Mangaldan, San Fabian Pangasinan Council of Women Inc. Multipurpose Cooperative (San Fabian), LGU-San Jacinto, Dagupan Bangus Merchants Association (Dagupan City), Chamber of Veggie Product Processors of Alcala (Alcala), LGU-Sto. Tomas, LGU-Asingan, MARESMA Multipurpose Cooperative, and LGU-Tayug.

The total project cost of the latest SSF batch was P15.667 million.

One of the beneficiaries, Milagros Buenafe, president of the Binmaley Rural Improvement Club, said the SSF helped make their group grow, from only 15 members in the beginning to 120 now.

She added that from earning only about P200 a month, their group is now earning P723,000 a month by processing 8,000 to 10,000 kilograms of milkfish.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and District Representatives Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil and. Gina De Venecia were present in the event.

Mr. Aquino asked the voters in Pangasinan to support the administration’s standard bearers- Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo- to ensure continuity of Daang Matuiwd programs in the province. (Johanne Macob)

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