by Queency Eurranne G. Castillo
Food- and nonfood-based MSME owners attend the seminar “MSME Talks: Navigating through Partnerships with Government” wherein the FDA, DTI Pampanga, PamCham, and PSAU Sibul TBI discuss possible assistance, services, and opportunities they offer for Pampanga-based enterprises.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA, MAY 11 – The PSAU Sibul Technology Business Incubator pledges to help micro, small, and medium enterprises in Pampanga apply for government support and fast-track registration during the seminar titled “MSME Talks: Navigating through Partnership with Government” in collaboration with the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Christian M. Mañalac, Jr., Sibul TBI project development officer, said the event is aimed at maximizing opportunities and bringing government services within their reach by convening different key players in the Department of Trade and Industry, Food and Drug Administration, and Landbank.
Mañalac mentioned during his talk, “Having our partner government agencies here today could provide us answers to our why’s and how’s about their services, breaking the existing barriers and hesitancy among MSMEs on government rules and regulations through partnerships.”
The project development officer also shared the early-stage discussion with the FDA about possible collaboration.
For his part, Gomel C. Gabuna, FDA Director for North Luzon, mentioned, “We will identify authorized representatives or designated licensing officers from PamCham and PSAU whom we will train to give you advice on FDA application… and somehow serve as an internal quality audit for all MSMEs in Pampanga.”
Meanwhile, DTI Pampanga discussed its services on business name registration, capacity building, packaging and labeling, counseling, and financial linkage, among others.
Landbank Pampanga Lending Center also discussed their loan offers to the MSMEs who need financial assistance in their businesses. The banking institutions discussed their loan programs in agribusiness, manufacturing, trading, or service provision industries. Then, PamCham Corporate Treasurer Marilou R. Tolentino offered help in paying taxes at BIR to existing chamber members.
PARTNERSHIP WITH DTI, Landbank, PamCham, and FDA
Maricel B. Ramos, Sibul TBI project development officer, said, “We are glad to have partnered with DTI, Landbank, and Pamcham in these endeavors.”
Said agencies are currently represented in the Sibul TBI Board of Advisors.
Currently, Sibul TBI helps 22 incubatees in maximizing opportunities that said agencies and organizations offer, specifically in technology-specific training, access to financing opportunities, and access to possible market partners, among others.
Since most incubatees are into innovating and value-adding agricultural food commodities, services provided by said agencies could help in making sure these products are marketable, safe to ingest, and registered by concerned regulatory bodies.
The incubator is also exploring partnerships with different agencies so as to further help agri-based MSMEs fast-track their agribusiness journey.
However, Ramos noted Sibul only acts as a conduit to these agencies to ensure government support is always within reach but shall not be misconstrued as their local counterpart.
Agri-based MSMEs interested to avail of such services can enroll in the Sibul TBI incubation program, said Ramos. For inquiries, please contact sibul@psau.edu.ph or +63966-446-9066.