Cotabato City, BARMM – Approximately Php 4,000,000.00 worth of processing equipment and a renovated production area were handed over to nine (9) cooperatives in this city on December 1, 2023.
The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Science and Technology, facilitated by the Cotabato S & T Center, turned over this technology intervention to improve and upgrade micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises’ product development and boost their production. The initiative aims to ensure adherence to good manufacturing practices and meet the minimum requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration for food manufacturers.
In the turnover ceremony, MOST Bangsamoro Director-General Engr. Abdulrakman Asim congratulated the MSMEs and expressed hope for their betterment.
“Congratulations to the beneficiaries! We are expecting that through the support and assistance of MOST, your business organization will prosper, sustain itself, and become competitive in the market,” BDG said.
Meanwhile, Nasrodin U. Buisan, Director II of Technical Management and Operation Services, congratulated each cooperative and emphasized the importance of providing the intervention to MSMEs.
“We are helping MSMEs to provide mass production of their products through the MOST technology intervention. We support them to improve and remain progressive throughout their business journey,” Buisan said.
Atty. Nes Hashim Lidasan, Chief of Staff and representative of Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao, expressed optimism for the cooperatives that have received MOST’s intervention and encouraged them to unite for a common cause.
“Our MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, responsible for job opportunities, livelihood, and economic growth in the region. Let us work hand in hand through collaborative effort.
We are fully supportive of this endeavor and commend MOST. Let us commit to the success of our city and the region,” he added.
BDG Mohajirin T. Ali of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, represented by Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Nomaire Mustapha, said that this endeavor creates opportunities and empowers MSMEs to adopt technological innovations.
“We are happy to note that the TTCP allows MSMEs to add value to their product, thereby attracting more customers, generating jobs, and boosting their revenue and profits,” BDG Ali said.
The MSMEs that benefited from the MOST technology intervention were Biniruan Pancit Producer Cooperative, Pagalamatan United Farmers Cooperative, Tomas M. Alonzo Food Enterprises, Alternative Herbal Soap Making, Nidas Bibingka Delicacies, Umpungan nu mga Babay sa Bagua II, Yams Premium Ice Candy, Nurhamza Creamy Peanut Butter, and Kuya Dan & Friends Special Lumpia Wrapper.
These beneficiaries received assistance under the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program (TTCP) and the Bangsamoro Empowerment through Science and Technology (BEST). Under TTCP, established business organizations will receive a technology intervention package, including values transformation trainings (VTT), technology trainings, the provision of processing equipment, renovation of the production area, assistance with halal testing and analysis, and aid in obtaining the FDA License to Operate. On the other hand, BEST beneficiaries, starting a business organization, can acquire VTT, technology trainings, and processing equipment.
Cooperatives present in the activity expressed thankfulness and appreciation to the ministry for the support given. Casmiri Jamiri, Yams Premium Ice Candy Owner, said, “We thank Allah SWT and MOST for providing this assistance with utmost generosity. The support of MOST has made our products more improved and of higher quality.”
Tomas Alonzo, TMA Food Enterprises President, said, “We are grateful to MOST for helping us improve our business production and generate more profits.”
MOST intensifies its efforts to empower MSMEs in the Bangsamoro region, helping them improve through S&T intervention and contribute significantly to the economic growth of the region.
[Information and Communication]