On 17 March 2022, DTI Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Quezon conducted an orientation on the SSF Program with Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Nieva and Samahan ng Magsasaka ng San. Nicolas in General Luna, Quezon to share information on how to apply for the program and its guidelines facilitated by Senior Trade and Industry Specialist/SSF Provincial Coordinator Ma. Graciela C. Ledesma, Trade and Industry Specialist Jennifer E. Ilagan, SSF Support Staff Dara Jannes C. Obmerga, and DTI Negosyo Center-Macalelon Business Counselor Reign De Gala Balane.

SSF Provincial Coordinator Ledesma, gave an overview of the SSF Project in Quezon Province, one of the flagship programs of DTI. She discussed the list of the documentary requirements to be able to apply for the said project and its detailed process. Provincial Coordinator Ledesma said that SSF aims to improve the productivity and efficiency of small enterprises through access to better technology.

After the discussion, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Roleta A. Omana shared the needs of the associations and updates on their current status. Also, some of the officers of the associations clarified some information, such as the counterpart requirement of the SSF Cooperator and the provision of templates for the application.

After the orientation, Mr. Joseph Perlada, from the Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Nieva, and Ms. Grace Tigle of DAR, led the DTI and participants to the actual processing facility for pineapple processing for the Site Visit and Inspection. The building is still under construction and will be finished by May 2022.

Mr. Joseph Hutalla of the Samahan ng Magsasaka ng San Nicolas toured the team at their target location of their dried vegetable processing facility. Though there were no final details, the association is aiming to have their own building for their sustainable business goal to have a better impact on their community.♦

Date of Release: 20 April 2022