Mentors inspire cooperators of SSFs

SSF COOPERATORS AND COACHES. The participants and coaches during the two-day Coaching and Mentoring for SSF Cooperators together with the DTI staff. (seated from left) Mentors Rex Dagdag, Clarke Nebrao, Lester Mark Yee, DTI VI Asst. Regional Director Ermelinda P. Pollentes, DTI VI Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon, Atty. Sharon Millan, Merianne Bebit, Melodie Buendia and Mario Tajanlangit.

With the successful conduct of the first ever coaching and mentoring for shared service facility (SSF) cooperators in November, the DTI VI organized another similar session to 40 SSF cooperators at Days Hotel Iloilo on December 19 to 20.

The activity is aimed at strengthening and providing direction for the advancement of SSFs.

DTI VI Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon initiated the breakthrough aimed to diagnose the gaps in the usage of the facility and how to further improve and maximize the utilization of the SSFs.

Engr. Ramon Alguidano Jr. of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) expressed his gratefulness as he was able to understand and comprehend the importance of the SSF, and how it would benefit the community or the university, in particular.

The ISAT-U will house the Fabrication Laboratory, an SSF project of the DTI VI.

Clarke Nebrao, an expert in business development, marketing, and branding, among others, encouraged the cooperators to “make entrepreneurship the key to success,” empowering the MSMEs to be world-class by championing local and aiming global.

“Keep on learning,” said Lester Mark Yee. He said that there are lots of opportunities especially on food products. “Always consider the availability and sustainability of your raw materials,” said Yee, a CPA and Chairman of the Board and President-Esprutingkle Group of Companies, based in the Province of Antique.

Melodie Buendia, also a CPA, advised cooperators to consider their facilities as their own. “Claim ownership and make use of it. Maximize its usage and take care of it,” Buendia said.

Other coaches and mentors were Emerson Lim, entrepreneur and food technologist consultant; Rex Florencio Dagdag, president/manager of Creatif Products and Services; Mario Tajanlangit, CEO/president of E-Cube International Development Corp.; Marianne T. Bebit, Intellectual Property Satellite Office (IPSO) - Iloilo Field Operations Specialist; and, Mary’O Penetrante, CPA and Director of the business Assistance Center at the Central Philippine University.

The DTI VI mulls of conducting similar sessions in the future to further strengthen its SSF.

Presently, the DTI has 72 SSFs in Region VI, with 74 more SSFs expected to operate in 2019.