Ezra Francisquete and Jena Manguiob UM Intern – A United States-backed program that promotes entrepreneurship has recognized four women as its medium, small and microenterprise (MSME) ambassadors because of the work they have put into their respective businesses.
The Science, Technology, and Risk-resilient based Initiatives toward Knowledge Economy Davao Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (iSTRIKE Davao RIIC) named the four women for ensuring the resiliency of their businesses during the 2nd Quarter Program Alignment Meeting Closeout Ceremony on Thursday at Acacia Hotel.
They were Olive Puentespina of Malagos Farmhouse for innovativeness, Rolyn Canedo of A’s and R’s for resiliency, Ms. Joji Pantoja of Coffee for Peace for creativity and Grace Belviz of Rosario’s Delicacies for collaboration.
The businesses of these women are among the 36 MSMEs in the region that have started their initial steps to recovery.
Supported by the US Agency for International Development – Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (USAID-Stride) the iSTRIKE Davao RIIC) is a program that capacitates MSMEs to ensure that they become globally competitive.
In her welcome message, Trade and Industry Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, also the chair of the program secretariat, thanked the US agency for supporting the initiative.
“We were the first and only RIIC in the country to date to adapt the pentahelix model of collaboration between and among government, industry, academe, civil society organization and the media. We were also the first in the country to obtain the support in endorsement of the Regional Development Council adapting the RIC as a collaborative platform to support upscaling of Davao Region’s industry cluster,”. Ambi said.
Pentahelix approach is an initiative behind the collaboration of five stakeholders to ensure the success of the program.
Ambi said that from just nine collaborating bodies in 2019, the number grew to 25 as these groups try to help MSMEs not just recover from the impact of the pandemic but also provide them with necessary technical assistance to make them resilient and competitive.
Among the beneficiaries of the program was the Frux Food Products in Panabo, Davao Del Norte whose administrator, Roel Lliana, thanked the program and its expert partner, the University of Immaculate Conception, for the assistance.
“I thank them for the physical plan they have provided for our business from production to certifying our products,” Lliana said.
