Why volunteerism benefits everyone

 Volunteerism is a basic expression of human relationships. It is about people’s need to participate in their societies and to feel that they matter to others.

• 

• 

Note that info and photos are from Ruel Perez

I believe that the social relationships intrinsic to volunteer work are critical to individual and community well-being.

When we are doing good for others and the community, it provides us a natural sense of accomplishment. And the better we feel about ourselves, the more likely we are to have a positive view of our life.

Ruel Perez at the Baslay Highland Brew Coffee cottage

WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER?

This spirit of volunteerism is best exemplified by Ruel Inojaldo Perez of the Baslay Farmers Association (BFA), producer of single-origin coffee.

One Saturday, I had a Zoom chat with him to discuss on the recent wins of the BFA.

Ruel disclosed that he started as volunteer of the association since he was a teenager. The association was what inspired him to pursue his dreams of being a forester and practitioner of organic agriculture. He volunteered his time as a technical consultant, working tirelessly to address issues that were preventing the BFA’s success. He even reorganized the association in order to save it from collapse. Today, he works as the Chairman of the Board of the Baslay Farmers Association ( BFA).

He also served in multiple capacities in the province. He was part of the Coffee Industry Development Council, a forestry instructor at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU). In 2013, He was elected to the Barangay Council of Barangay Baslay. This position gave him the opportunity to work in numerous areas of the village’s affairs. It also enabled him to envision a socially and economically transformed Barangay Baslay.

BASLAY FARMERS ASSOCIATION

According to Ruel, the BFA was established in 1985 as a community based farmers’ organization in the forests of Baslay village in the Municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental.  The village is situated in the foothills of Mount Talinis, a dormant volcano and one of the highest mountains in Negros Oriental.

Ruel disclosed that the organization was formed mainly to address the problem of slash and burn farming practices or “kaingin”, stemming from the local community’s poverty and illiteracy. Since then, nearly one hundred farmers, have become green guardians of the Baslay forests.

He assessed the local community’s available natural and renewable resources which could be sustainably used to generate income. Among them is a vast, fertile 120 hectare coffee forest. He was able to convince the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) that Baslay coffee could become a global commodity. From there, the BFA conducted a series of trainings on coffee harvesting and processing for farmers.

Premium Baslay Forest Coffee

SWEET SUCCESS

In 2018, the cooperative established the Baslay Highland Brew Coffee house overlooking a stunning view of a coffee forest. Another project is the “Baslay Highland Viewing Tower” which the coop undertook with the help of architecture students from the Foundation University (FU).

Previous initiatives included advances in honey production and a banana project, among others. The BFA also has this “Ecotourism Operation” which offers visitors adventures like trekking, experiences in organic agriculture, bird watching and tasting of local products, including premium Baslay coffee.

As a result of their efforts, the BFA was recognized as the grand winner of the 2018 Lopez Achievement Award and the 2020 Grand Anvil Award.

Through the years, the BFA has transformed the formerly denuded forest into a sanctuary for endangered bird and wildlife species. The coop has managed to reforest more than 200 hectares and have tilled 120 hectares of naturally grown coffee.

Slash and burn farming has finally been eradicated by social and economic empowerment and by teaching locals that sustainable forest management is a common responsibility.

Through the power of volunteerism and partnerships, BFA managed to scale up operations and access applicable technology for sustainable mountain endeavours.

This BFA story was featured in the United Nations Development program and the Philippines Business for the Environment book.

.

Birthing Natter Negosyo

Do you have a sexy name for that ?! 

My office boss hollered from across the room.

CREATIVE PLAYPEN

I was then proposing on creating another brand in order to be able to work around the constricting rules set by head office in the publishing of creative materials.

We found that it was nearly impossible to experiment with new ideas as we were limited by orders and directives.

Even if we were smart and clever enough to evade most of the rules, we would eventually succumb to the office bureaucracy.

My boss paced the room a few times with brows forrowed and arms akimbo. Finally, she said, “Yep, seems like a good idea.”

So was born “Natter Negosyo”, the young, attractive partner of the (I hate to say this) geriatic and homely agency where I work.

Natter Negosyo or NN is in more social media sites than “Grandpa’s” Facebook, Youtube and Instagram.  NN allows for more engagement with clients and has a wider promotional reach.

The NN brand is handled by the Social Media Team. Its game plan is simple — we follow the agreed Social Media calendar for 2021. The calendar is a series of experiments on different marketing styles until we find things that work for us. It appears simple enough, right?

Note that this is a pre-COVID video footage

EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER

The Social Media Team is populated mostly by young, digital natives. They are a bunch of talented, free spirited individuals working on making Natter Negosyo an effective promo engine for the agency.

We thoroughly planned their activities for 2021. What the office hadn’t planned for was dealing with their youthful angst and their dislike for managing their emotions and time during office hours.

Let’s call Alexa, management said.  This is my secret nickname which alludes to the voice-controlled phone assistant. They probably needed someone stoic and dispassionate to balance things and make these people produce the output needed according to schedule. 

Now, if you have a lot of emotional angst, I wouldn’t be the best person to unload. Its not because I don’t have empathy;  I simply don’t have the resources to deal with all the tremendous emotional energy. In other words, it short circuits my brain to think about it. As Alexa would say, “it is not in my programming.”

So, in order to avoid the dreaded emotional drama, I created a chat group to send instructions to the team.  I also included our boss in the group so they would have second thoughts about going all out with their feelings.

No face-to-face meetings are allowed because of COVID19, a perfectly convenient excuse for me not to physically interface with them.  Also, no zoom meetings unless my boss calls for it and she’s in it.

Although I can now freely express myself, the years of living in restraint means I still need to gradually acclimatize myself to the change in conditions. And at the rate I am transforming, I can definitely say the rest of the year is going to be interesting for everyone at the office.

There is one thing I noticed about these young spitfires, they feel intensely about almost everything including mundane tasks. That can be a problem for someone like me whose current circuitry doesn’t absorb emotions very well. Thank heavens, there is technology and an app I can use to deal with that. It is easy to think of solutions when I don’t get overwhelmed in the drama.

THE FUTURE OF NATTER NEGOSYO

So far so good. Information technology has been a blessing to me. It keeps my team on the same page. With it, I can converse without socializing. I also get to do the job I love, whenever and wherever, and get paid to do it.

We are hitting work targets and the team is smoothly chugging along the tracks of the new normal.

Someone asked me what happens to Natter Negosyo if ever I leave the agency. I told management that NN will still be available for creative experiments on digital marketing. I will keep it open for the agency to use.

Considering that Natter Negosyo is attached to my name, I will probably remain involved in the brand’s many endeavors. Besides, I enjoy the job so much that I consider it more of a pleasure.

Our HRA is a vlogger !

 Ones Villacin is our Human Resource Assistant (HRA) at the DTI Region 7 office. He holds the enviable position of main vlogger for human resource development trainings, workshops and seminars.

CHANGE IS HERE

In January 2021, video blogging officially became an acceptable form of communicating with employees and clients of the department.

Top management realized that times have changed and that it needs to adapt to the digital trend to remain relevant.

Early this year, the regional office organized 3 teams to help businesses recover from the financial crisis brought on by the pandemic : Social Media, Digital Marketing and Systems.

The main task of the Social Media Team is to increase visibility of the DTI 7 brand and boost public awareness of the agency’s activities across social media sites.

The task of the Digital Marketing Team is to utilize internet and online based digital technologies such as desktop computers, mobile phones and other digital media and platforms to interact with the agency’s clients and to deliver services of DTI.

The Systems Team is responsible for the building and maintenance of internal systems such as IHub, ECPMS and Geotagging of employee residences. The team also plans, installs, and monitors software and hardware to meet overall information technology needs of the organization. They oversee data security and implement new technology as needed.

Yes, Ones Villacin is with the Social Media Team, along with other provincial trade vloggers of the agency. They were chosen because they can express themselves well.

Working at a government agency has suddenly become more interesting and fun.  Not a bad change for a department that used to be associated with words like boring, uptight, bureaucratic and straight laced.

Ones talks with office staff during the Monday morning general assembly.

MASCOT FOR THE NEW NORMAL

I am an unconventional person with a weird name. Most typical government employees consider me strange by any standard. For years, I felt like a round peg in a square hole living in an emotional and mental straightjacket.  Now, with my unusual personality, you might be wondering how I ended up working for government. Like all shiftless beings, fate decided for me.  I was told to report to the department with the promise of a regular salary when my contract at another agency ended.  I discovered during the early months of my employment that the regional directors of the 2 offices decided that I was one of the people DTI needed.

Fate must have placed me in a staid environment to stir things up, ignite transformational change, and be the bridge that connects the old and new normal. It is the rationale I give myself whenever I feel exasperated or when I am trying to console myself. It is the same rationale I am giving myself now in this year of major revamps within the bureaucracy.

One recent incident was something completely unexpected for me. It was something that would never have happened in a traditional management set-up.

For a reticent, unambitious ambivert, being told to lead the Social Media Team at the regional department came as a complete shock. I felt the universe upended my small, predictable world.

But after the initial astonishment, came relief. I realized I am finally free to be my unique self and implement my own ideas. I can now safely take off my mask.

WE ARE SOCIAL

Since most of the Social Media Team members are relatively new to the organization and some are fresh from college, I have the job of doing a lot of heavy lifting for the team to move forward, while delicately navigating the figurative “landmines” of the bureaucracy.

Our team’s first project was the Sari-sari Linker Orientation for small businesses. This orientation preludes the start of the roll-out of the Sari-sariLinker.ph. This is a platform which DTI believes could help the qualified sari-sari stores in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Consolacion to go digital.  This will provide them another experience in selling their products, while providing an easy access to their customers. This webinar was crossposted to several FB pages, uploaded on Youtube, DailyMotion, Anchor, Red Circle. The activity was also posted on Instagram, Twitter, Blogger and WordPress.

We used the Open Broadcaster Software or the OBS Studio, a free and open-source cross-platform, to stream and record the webinar. Two of our staff produced the web skin using Photoshop and Canva. Along the way, there were minor mishaps and technical problems. That is expected since we are still trying to find our groove.

In the coming months, we believe social media presence will become essential for survival of businesses. There are even some local entrepreneurs that rely almost entirely on social media for PR and marketing.

And because our department is committed to sustaining the growth and development of the Philippine economy, the social media team will be there to organize the needed marketing campaigns and public relations.

One such campaign is the Social Media Calendar wherein vlogging on DTI project activities are done twice a week.  We feature 2 vloggers each week who will showcase their  field reporting skill.  This week, we had Ones Villacin.

Embracing 2021

 I am happy with my present situation. I know,  it’s a strange thing to say for someone whose life has been seriously disrupted by COVID19.

Work used to be drudgery for me. But in 2021 or more specifically January 9 of this year, something shifted.  I can’t seem to put my finger on any single reason. Is it the novelty of my situation? The new ambience i’m experiencing? It could also be the change in office dynamics, the people I work with or the office-work-from-home alternative arrangement. It could be the new way I conduct my interviews with clients. Whatever it is, it’s doing wonders for my physical and emotional health.

Part of my job as an info officer is to write success stories on the agency’s programs. I do this by interviewing the department’s project beneficiaries.

Nowadays, I keep most of my conversations within the Zoom room in compliance with health protocols. 

A lot of things have been transformed at the office since the health crisis in 2020. Somethings worth mentioning are the new communication protocols and the heavy use of technology to enhance human interaction.

The Optimist

Last Saturday, I had a Zoom conversation with Theresa Mae Conson, Chief Finance Officer and proprietor of Smartieshirt Apparel, a company specializing in customizing t-shirts for consumers and businesses.

Talking to her is a delightful experience because of her bubbly and upbeat personality. Like Theresa, all entrepreneurs whose business  survived the crisis last year have this inimitable “can do” spirit despite what is happening around them.

Her delicate features belie her tenacity to succeed amidst the challenges.  While many small business owners were still rethinking their strategies as they navigated the unforseen operational challenges brought on by the pandemic, Theresa’s company Smartieshirt Apparel  began producing cloth facemasks as early as February 2020 and later, as the virus spread, protective suits.

“Producing PPE gears and facemasks is far different from what we did before COVID19 emerged. Back then, we had sports jerseys, fun run shirts, bags and caps,” She noted.

“When we finally got the formula to deliver bulk orders in sports wear, COVID19 happened bringing an entirely different need.”

Theresa narrated how her company production set up drastically shifted in March as the number of COVID positive cases in Cebu increased and N88 disposable facemasks became scarce.

Facing the challenges

“Our team did not have a hard time adjusting as we had the necessary machines and our operators are experienced in producing apparels and garments,” she said.

Although she was worried about pending sports related projects getting cancelled, she felt fortunate that the company had a month of preparation before the lockdown.

Theresa added that “despite our customers not paying us on time, we were able to negotiate with suppliers and our landlord, enabling us to roll our inventory.”

To surmount financial challenges, Theresa approached the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to get an endorsement to avail of a loan facility from the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp).

“Like a responsible entrepreneur, the safety of our employees remains our top priority despite the obstacles. We provided them free lunch, rent shuttle vehicles to ferry them , gave them PPE suits, installed a sanitation tent for everyone, found guards to act as safety officers who rove around our area every 2 hours to make sure it is regularly sanitized.”

Theresa also disclosed that the company shuttle vehicles have sanitation sprays and thermal gun for body temperature checks for all employees prior to stepping in.

To ensure all bases are covered, Conson admitted that she also sought a little help from the Divine as she prayed every morning before start of the shifts for everything to run smoothly and for everyone to stay healthy.

Smartieshirt Apparel is currently working on their pre-COVID pending projects. We divide our time between finishing pending projects and producing facemasks and PPE suits, she clarified.

“We tap distributors around the area to sell our masks and PPE suits. Our existing clients also help us a lot especially the BPO and manufacturing companies.”

Facemasks and PPEs are the new normal, she said. “We are expecting we will be manufacturing them for at least one more year.”

Unfazed by future challenges, Conson believes her company survived the 2020 pandemic because her team of talented designers and marketing specialists know how to adjust to the needs of the market.

Cheers!

“When this crisis is over, it will be part of our company history that we played a significant role in containing the spread of the virus and that with every mask and protective suit we made, a life was protected. “

In the meantime, Theresa is helping me promote the Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprise (KMME) online program via Facebook live. A graduate of DTI’s KMME, her real life experiences as an entrepreneur were enhanced by her course learnings on business management. She said this enabled her to sustain her enterprises amidst the challenges of the pandemic and New Normal conditions.

I hope fate bestows more blessings on Theresa and her company.  Conson’s tenacity to keep her workers despite last year’s uncertainty, deserve a reward from the Divine. I’m sure her grateful employees will agree with me.

Afternoon chat with Marivic

I recently sat down to a “Zoom” conversation with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu SME Development Division Chief Marivic Aguilar.

What otherwise should have been a normal conversation between two long time friends, turned out to be a complicated affair involving tech glitches, internet outage, and human disturbances. Her humor certainly saved us from what otherwise would have been an embarrassing situation.

Initially, Marivic wanted me to edit a press release on Sugbo Negosyo written by someone else. Since I don’t know anything about the program, I asked her to talk more on the subject. There is an office policy in the department which discourages employees from talking face to face for an extended amount of time, so I came up with the idea of using the Zoom app for our chat. And because I wanted to get immediate publicity for the program, I thought of having our conversation streamed on Facebook live.

We did get the publicity for Sugbo Negosyo, including our conversation bloopers and faux pas. The edited press release was posted on the DTI official website as well as published in some media outlets. Recently, Marivic is slated for a proper (official) interview with the Philippine Information Agency7.

For those not in the know, Sugbo Negosyo is a livelihood assistance program of the Cebu Provincial Government, DTI and Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Marivic said that the Cebu Provincial Government allocated a hefty P100M budget for this program. She also mentioned that it was originally inspired by DTI’s Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB),

Beneficiaries chosen included those who can produce Cebuano products made of locally sourced materials and those who can ensure the most likelihood of success in his or her endeavor.

This is a significant development, according to Marivic, because SMEs have a crucial role in the Philippine economic recovery. SMEs comprise 99 percent of the business community, contributes 30 percent in the Philippine economy and employs over 62 percent in manpower. SMEs are also drivers of innovation as they try to become more competitive in a very challenging market, she underscored.

Marivic revealed that a total of 17,881 entrepreneurs applied for the program but only 8,253 qualified after a rigorous evaluation by the Provincial Board, DTI and MCCI.

Some 256 micro and small entrepreneurs qualified for category A or those established micro enterprises that need recovery assistance and enhancement. Category A got a budget of P12.8 million.

Category B, intended for new and existing micro-enterprise engaged in manufacturing or processing, got 556 beneficiaries and a budget amounting to P11.12 million.

Category C, for entrepreneurs engaged in trading or services, got 7,441 beneficiaries and a budget of P74.41 million.

I find Sugbo Negosyo program unique as it uses the digital coupon system to claim goods and materials instead of cash and a quick response (QR) code to ensure validity. 

Marivic thought so too since she mentioned that she favors the coupon idea because the business capital grant will be given in kind and not in cash to ensure that funds are used for its intended purpose.

COVID19 is not fading away anytime soon. So, I anticipate more Zoom conversations with Marivic as I inquire from her for updates. And with the unique predicament we are in, I look forward to m
ore of her offbeat humor. It certainly brightens my day.

Reigniting Cebu's Economy

DTI-7 posts digital marketing webinars on social media

The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas (DTI-7) recently concluded its Digital Marketing Strategies for MSMEs webinar series.

The series was held via Zoom and Facebook Live and consisted of 8 sessions to help local businesses thrive in the new normal.

To rewatch the webinars under this series, you may click on the following links:

Introduction to Digital Marketing
https://bit.ly/IDMFb
Knowing and Reaching Out to Your Customers Online
https://bit.ly/KROFblive
E-Commerce: How to Sell Your Products Online
https://bit.ly/EcommerceFBLive
Content Marketing: Using Content to Promote Your Brand
https://bit.ly/CMFbLive
Social Media Marketing: Using Social Media to Connect With Your Customers
https://bit.ly/SMFblive
Facebook and Instagram Marketing Tips for MSMEs
https://bit.ly/FMTFblive
Facebook Ads for Beginners to Promote Your Products Online
https://bit.ly/FbAFblive
New Digital Marketing Strategies to Explore Beyond 2020
https://bit.ly/DMD20FbLive

All 8 sessions are available for review on the official Facebook page of the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas (@DTI.Region7) and its YouTube channel (@DTI7 Digital).

The learning continues in the year 2021 as the agency prepares more webinars for entrepreneurs and consumers. Stay tuned for updates by liking the DTI 7 Facebook page and subscribing to the agency’s Youtube channel.

https://track.fiverr.com/visit/?bta=192163&nci=8335 

DTI 7's DREAM Project for freelancers

The year 2020 was difficult for everyone, but it was particularly tough for many Filipinos who lost their jobs.

We have not yet fully gauged the fallout, but the
months of lockdown led to the scarcity of funds and a fall in demand for certain products and activities. These have led many entrepreneurs to close their businesses, rendering many employees jobless.

Although the current pandemic has had a severe impact on the brick and mortar businesses, the digital economy has proven instrumental in our country's battle against COVID-19. Those who had already embraced internet technology in the past had the advantage of being able to fast-track their business growth.

Our ability to leverage digital tools has been key in business survival during COVID times and the pandemic has accelerated this process of digital transformation across almost all sectors.

As we slowly but steadily shift to the recovery stage, we’ve also seen that the pandemic has brought on drastic changes to consumer behavior that are likely to remain for years to come.

The question then is how we can help more entrepreneurs, particularly those in the services industry, grow and successfully navigate the new normal.

DIGITAL SERVICES INDUSTRY
This trend towards a leaner, project-based digital workforce is expected to continue beyond the current crisis, driven by the digital transformation movement and the maturation of online services that match businesses with available freelance professionals.

But while COVID-19 has motivated businesses that otherwise wouldn’t have considered using outside help, many experts believe most businesses will continue to use more freelance help in the future.

There are many reasons for this long term outlook. These include cost savings, specialization, flexibility, better quality, and wider talent choices.

As online platforms become more sophisticated, it’s easier than ever for businesses to find the right person for a particular project.

Also, businesses save money when they’re not paying for long-term employment or office space.

Businesses are noting that successful freelancers are agile especially if they work for multiple clients or take on short-term roles with limited ramp-up times. Freelancers know how important it is to constantly prove their worth to short-term clients.  Companies who hire them can benefit from this extra effort.  Moreover, the types of work that can be performed by freelancers, contractors, and independent consultants is almost limitless. 

More importantly, businesses can choose freelance candidates from virtually anywhere around the globe. Geography does not appear to be a limitation.

DTI'S DREAM PROGRAM
Knowing their value, digital freelancers should take stock of their skills and experience and consider upskilling through training courses to be better prepared for seismic changes ahead.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Visayas (DTI 7)  is currently developing an online training course specifically for digital services entrepreneurs.

In partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI),  DTI7 will implement the Digital Services Entrepreneurs Advancement Mentoring (DREAM) Program in August of 2021.

DREAM program will feature mentorship modules to be used to propel digital services entrepreneurs to thrive in spite of the unprecedented setbacks that now confront businesses of all types and sizes.

The modules will cover:
• Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Values Formation
• Overview of the Market
• Developing the Business
• Finance and Operations Management
• People Management
• Contract Management
• Client Management
• Legalizing your Business
• Business Model Canvass
• One on one mentoring:
(After the course / graduation, to accomplish specific milestones)


DTI's DREAM program is FREE of charge but can only accommodate a maximum of 30 participants for the first batch in Region 7.

The program aims to produce confident local entrepreneurs with the right mindset & basic management skills which will enable them to sustain their enterprises amidst the challenges of the pandemic and new normal conditions.

Interested applicants must have at least 6 months freelancing experience, willing and committed to complete the program, able to submit the necessary documents, and agree to upscale his/her business.

If you are interested to participate in the program,  get in touch with Marilyn Tancinco, Supervising Trade and Industry Developing Specialist (STIDS) of the DTI 7 Small and Medium Enterprise Development Division, through the following contact information: MarilynTancinco@dti.gov.ph / celfon # 09209020341

Learn to connect with your FB audience with DTI 7's webinar

Approaches to advertising have changed dramatically over the past five decades, from newspapers, cinema, radio, television to internet and more recently social networking.

With advances in technology, consumers are now in control of the media message they want to receive.

On Facebook,  the world’s largest social network, advertising is an important way for businesses to connect with an audience.

But Facebook ads are all about getting your message in front of exactly the right segment of  people who are most likely to want your services or products.

If you want to get the best results, it’s important to understand the different Facebook ad types and targeting options before you dive in.

The Department of Trade and Industry Region 7 (DTI 7) recently started a series of webinar sessions on Facebook Ads Strategies for eCommerce and online business.

From planning their first ad to developing campaign strategies during the webinar, resource speaker Romeo Nicolas Bonsocan of Bisaya Digital will walk digital entrepreneurs through everything they need to know about Facebook Ads.

The sessions are held every Thursday in June this year via Zoom and Livestream at the DTI Region 7 Facebook Page.

To rewatch the webinar sessions you may click on the following links:

Setting the Winning Ad Strategy (June 3, 2021)
https://fb.watch/66rqS1zfOQ/
This session will prepare digital marketers on what mindset they need to have when creating Facebook ad campaigns and setting it up for success in 2021 and beyond.

Creating Successful Ad Content  (June 10, 2021)
https://fb.watch/66rT9Z4HlG/
This session will tackle the elements of creating a successful Facebook
ad content, specifically on copy and creatives (videos or graphics). By the end of
the session, they will know what how to create their ad campaigns.

Launching Ad Campaigns That Work in 2021  (June 17, 2021)
This session will discuss how to use Facebook Ads Manager and the advanced strategies and metrics to familiarize when creating profitable Facebook ad campaigns in the Philippines.

Growing To 10X Your Ecomm Business (June 24, 2021)
This session will explore strategies on growing an ecommerce business in the Philippines and optimizing ad campaigns for sales and loyalty from customers.

All four sessions are available for review on the official Facebook page of the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas (@DTI.Region7) and its YouTube channel (@DTI7 Digital).

DTI aids MSMEs' shift to eCommerce

 

While the COVID-19 outbreak caused mandatory stay-at-home orders for residents and closed down all “non-essential” brick-and-mortar businesses, many intrepid MSMEs quietly eased into the internet to stay connected with their customers. 

The result has created a surge in the growth of online businesses that are thriving in the digital space.

This changing business landscape is made possible in large part by technology solutions companies such as eCFULFILL (Easy eCommerce Fulfillment) that makes selling globally online easy for MSMEs.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has helped eCFULFILL connect to local MSMEs and exporters that want to expand their market share via online selling but are not tech savvy.

Late last year, DTI 7 assistant regional director Maria Elena Arbon introduced eCFulfill to Cebu entrepreneur Audrey Regis, proprietor of Audrey's Confectionery, in order for the producer of artisan dried mangoes to export.

Although she decided to give the online platform a go in February 2020, Regis narrated that her onboarding got delayed because of the pandemic.

Nevertheless, "just a day after we went live in Amazon USA, I got orders instantly from 3 customers despite the products being too pricey because of the FedEx shipping cost from Cebu to USA," Regis observed.

Arbon, a strong advocate for eCommerce, underscored that local entrepreneurs can gain much benefit from trying a different tack to export and carving a digital path to success. 

She added that "innovative firms who can sell their unique products through an online platform can reach the market faster than others who rely on traditional distribution methods."

Neptune Factor, eCFULFILL Founder and CEO, noted that MSMEs prefer an easy and simple way to do business online if given the choice.

"If they go directly to Amazon, eBay and Etsy, they have to study and learn on their own including the technical requirements before they can sell, " Factor reasoned out.

He said that each marketplace has its own requirements so it becomes complicated and difficult to scale.

Factor underscored that with eCFULFILL, entrepreneurs only need to sign up in one location and they will be able to have access to these eCommerce marketplaces.

"Our company provides a software that allows Filipino MSMEs to sell to global online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. It is a platform that integrates E-commerce Marketplace, Market Intelligence, Warehouse Logistics, Order Fulfillment, Digital Marketing, and Digital Payment Methods," he said.

The company is looking at selling in 65 marketplaces that cover 190 countries. 

Aside from Audrey's Confectionery, eCFulfill has clients such as Pili Ani, Giga, Messy Bessy, Fetch Naturals, Go Natural (Ampalaya Plus) to name a few. 

This Manila based start-up reported that the platform has generated 7,000 orders, listed 300 plus products and generated $140,000 of total sales at present.

The company will soon expand to Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and integrate to the top eCommerce marketplaces in these countries. 

Recently, eCFULFILL signed an agreement with OneAgrix, a Singapore-based startup that is building a Halal eCommerce marketplace. 

"This is another opportunity for our MSMEs to tap the $2.6 Trillion Halal market," Factor opined.

Whether the business is online or stays offline, Asteria Caberte of DTI has always emphasized to new entrepreneurs the importance of having strong foundational knowledge of entrepreneurship.

To know more and be part of DTI's trainings and seminars, Caberte encourages small business owners to contact any of the DTI Central Visayas Provincial Offices :

DTI Cebu Provincial Office: 
Tel No.: (032) 255-6971
Email: r07.cebu@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.Cebu/

DTI Bohol Provincial Office:
Tel No.: (038) 501 8828
Email: r07.bohol@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.BoholProvince/

DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Office:
Tel.No. (035) 422 5509
Email: r07.negrosoriental@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI7.NegrosOriental/

DTI Siquijor Provincial Office :

Tel No.: (035) 480-9065
Email: r07.siquijor@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI7.Siquijor/ 
(Ends)

DTI helps Smarties Apparel to thrive in adversity

 

As the coronavirus continues its disruption, many small business owners are rethinking their strategies as they navigate the unforseen financial and operational challenges brought on by the pandemic.

For Theresa Mae Conson, Chief Finance Officer and sole proprietor of Cebu based Smartieshirt Apparel, the COVID19 crisis is a game changer.

Started by husband Marvin Conson in 2015 as an eCommerce platform for custom designed shirts, Smartieshirt Apparel began producing cloth facemasks as early as February and later, as the virus spread, protective suits.

"Producing PPE gears and facemasks is far different from what we did before COVID. Back then, we had sports jerseys, fun run shirts, bags and caps," Conson noted.

"When we finally got the formula to deliver bulk orders in sports wear, COVID19 happened bringing an entirely different need." 

She narrated how company production set up drastically shifted in March as the number of COVID positive cases in Cebu increased and N88 disposable facemasks became scarce.

At present, the company produces 15,000 cloth facemasks per day and 3,000 PPE suits per week.

"Our team did not have a hard time adjusting as we had the necessary machines and our operators are experienced in producing apparels and garments," she said.

Although she was worried about pending sports related projects getting cancelled, she felt fortunate that the company had a month of preparation before the lockdown. 

Conson added that "despite our customers not paying us on time, we were able to negotiate with suppliers and our landlord, enabling us to roll our inventory."

To surmount financial challenges, the company approached the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to get an endorsement to avail of a loan facility from the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp).

"Like a responsible entrepreneur, the safety of our employees remains our top priority despite the obstacles: we provide them free lunch, rent shuttle vehicles to ferry them , provide them with PPE suits, installed a sanitation tent for everyone, found guards to act as safety officers who rove around our area every 2 hours to make sure it is regularly sanitized."

Conson also disclosed that the company shuttle vehicles have sanitation sprays and thermal gun for body temperature checks for all employees prior to stepping in. 

To ensure all bases are covered, Conson admits the Smartieshirt Apparel also sought a little help from the Divine as they prayed every morning before start of the shifts for everything to run smoothly and for everyone to stay healthy.

Gradually, the company recovered and Smartieshirt Apparel managed to work on their pre-COVID pending projects. 

Currently, we divide our time between finishing pending projects and producing facemasks and PPE suits, she clarified.

"We tap distributors around the area to sell our masks and PPE suits. Our existing clients also help us a lot especially the BPO and manufacturing companies."

Facemasks and PPEs are the new normal, she said. "We are expecting to manufacture them for at least a year."

Unfazed by future challenges, Conson believes her company will survive the pandemic because her team of talented designers and marketing specialists know how to adjust to the needs of the market.

"When this crisis is over, it will be part of our company history that we played a significant role in containing the spread of the virus and that with every mask and protective suit we made, a life was protected. "

Theresa Mae Conson of Smartieshirt Apparel is a graduate of DTI's Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprise (KMME) program.

With KMME, her real life experiences as an entrepreneur were enhanced by learnings on business management which enabled her to sustain her enterprises amidst the challenges of the pandemic and New Normal conditions.

For small entrepreneurs with a similar passion for business, DTI is open to receiving their applications to join the first batch of the Kapatid Mentor Micro-Enterprises (KMME) - Online Program.

Interested entrepreneurs may contact any of the DTI Central Visayas Provincial Offices. 

DTI Cebu Provincial Office: 
Tel No.: (032) 255-6971
Email: r07.cebu@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.Cebu/

DTI Bohol Provincial Office:
Tel No.: (038) 501 8828
Email: r07.bohol@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.BoholProvince/

DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Office:
Tel.No. (035) 422 5509
Email: r07.negrosoriental@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI7.NegrosOriental/

DTI Siquijor Provincial Office :
Tel No.: (035) 480-9065
Email: r07.siquijor@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI7.Siquijor/ 
(Ends)

DTI 7 helps FRL Trading to adapt to new business environment

As businesses face the important challenge of planning for new ways of working post COVID-19, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) prepares MSMEs to thrive in a new reality that includes social distancing and self-isolation.

COVID-19 pandemic has already changed life and commerce, Asteria Caberte of DTI said.

She explained that MSMEs must learn to embrace the new normal, accept new business concepts and get past the so called old "brick and mortar" mindset in order to survive.

"If there’s anything good about the Covid pandemic it is the realization by many of the benefits of digitization," DTI assistant regional director Maria Elena Arbon opined. 

"As an advocate for digital transformation, I have experienced the hurdles of convincing our MSMEs and people in general to adopt and adapt digital," Arbon added.

"Perversely, Covid19 has effectively forced everyone to accept more digitization into their lives, work and businesses."

Amidst the crisis, there is one Cebu based company that has successfully translated its business online. 

FRL Trading, a start-up company selling agri-based products, diversified to producing washable face masks and running a grocery delivery service online.

Proprietor Felita Lubon said that although her company earns well producing turmeric and ginger tea, she saw the high demand for washable facemasks and decided to look for good needleworkers in the mountain barangays of Cebu.

"I bring the fabric to their homes and collect the finished products from them," she narrated.

"These needleworkers are happy that they earn income from their work and are able to support their family despite the lockdown," Lubon said.

Currently, FRL Trading produces 6, 000 to 10,000 facemasks a day for local and international buyers.

In late April, Lubon noticed the huge volume of people who have been forced to stay home and were unable to do groceries as well as drivers who were suddenly rendered jobless. 

This crisis gave Lubon the idea of establishing an online grocery delivery service that brings supermarket items to those compelled to stay home and give jobs to drivers who are out of work as well.

Since two weeks ago, Lubon's grocery delivery service receives an average of 100,000 online orders a day.

"Developing this mindset of seeing opportunity in obstacles is part of the trainings, workshops and other interventions that DTI offers to business start-ups," Caberte disclosed.

"DTI also assists MSMEs in product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, among others,"she added.

Felita Lubon is a beneficiary of DTI's One Town, One Product (OTOP) program for entrepreneurs who engage in business within the value chain of OTOP products (raw material suppliers, processors, distributors, retailers, manufacturers).

Miss Lubon is also a graduate of the Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs (KMME) program which helps micro and small entrepreneurs scale up their businesses through mentoring on different functional areas of entrepreneurship, produce the right mindset and business know-how. 

"In the coming months, DTI may hold most of its trainings via video conferencing to comply with the new normal restrictions," Arbon revealed.

She said that for remote barangays where technology may not be accessible, DTI may hold seminars in gymnasiums, multipurpose buildings but with limited number of participants.

Meanwhile, Caberte underscored that DTI is open to using other viable means to reach out to MSMEs in the countryside such as radio and comic strips written in the local dialect.

To know more and be part of DTI's trainings and seminars, Caberte encourages smal³l business owners to contact any of the DTI Central Visayas Provincial Offices :

DTI Cebu Provincial Office: 
Tel No.: (032) 255-6971
Email: r07.cebu@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.Cebu/

DTI Bohol Provincial Office:
Tel No.: (038) 501 8828
Email: r07.bohol@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.BoholProvince/

DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Office:
Tel.No. (035) 422 5509
Email: r07.negrosoriental@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI7.NegrosOriental/

DTI Siquijor Provincial Office :
Tel No.: (035) 480-9065
Email: r07.siquijor@dti.gov.ph
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DTI7.Siquijor/ 
(Ends

DTI mobilizes FabLabs to surmount COVID crisis

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7 activates its network of fabrication laboratories (FabLabs) in Central Visayas to produce personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

A team of volunteers, faculty members and staff at school based FabLabs in the region have designed and produced personal protective equipment to contribute to the much-needed supply of PPEs in the region.

“As of April 16 this year, FabLabs in Central Visayas have produced   24, 358 face shields, 4,093  cloth face masks, 359 medical gowns, and 20  aerosol boxes.”

Central Visayas has eight FabLabs : three located in Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, and five in Cebu.

“All eight fablabs in Central Visayas have been busy for  the past month producing PPEs.” 

This was revealed by Philippines’ FabLab Champion and DTI 7 Assistant Regional Director Maria Elena Arbon.

Arbon also said that Fablabs in Central Visyas are part of a network of Fablabs in the Philippines. “Together with their stakeholders, and partners in both government and private sectors, they are responding to needs of the COVID outbreak in our country.” 

“Overall, Fablabs in the Philippines produced 46,055 face shields, 23,104 cloth face masks, 1,201 medical gowns, and  217 aerosol boxes as of April 16,” Arbon disclosed.

“We are still accepting donations of raw materials for the production of the PPEs,” Director Arbon said. “Our frontline workers still need more especially now with the rising number of COVID patients and with the ongoing crisis.”

Director Arbon encourages everyone to visit the following google site:  https://tinyurl.com/FablabPHResponse to link themselves to a Fablab near their vicinity and ask for any assistance that the lab can do. This is also a way for local suppliers of raw materials to get in touch with FabLabs in their area so these facilities can continue with the mass production.

DTI Assistant Secretary Asteria Caberte, who pushed for the funding of the project and boosted morale of volunteers, informed the public that FabLabs aren’t the only ones responding to the COVID crisis.  “ We have DTI assisted MSMEs such as Uniform Solutions, Tubigon Loomweavers Multi–purpose Cooperative, LAMAC Multi-purpose Cooperative and  Alter to Enhance Clothier that are also mass producing cloth face masks.  These cooperatives and business enterprises are repurposing their manufacturing capacity to meet local demand.” 

“We have always encouraged those we have assisted to  exercise their corporate responsibility and give back to the community in whatever way they can,” Asec. Caberte added.

A fabrication laboratory is a technical prototyping platform for innovation and invention that allows local manufacturers and creatives to make prototypes and products such as equipment, machinery and electronic gadgets; create scale models, illustrate graphic designs and mass-produce products, among others. A fab lab is typically equipped with an array of flexible computer-controlled tools that cover several different length scales and various materials, with the aim to make "almost anything". 

Fablabs in the Philippines are closely aligned with the global open-source maker culture, and the free and open-source movement, and shares philosophy as well as technology with them.

The International FabLab Network is an open, creative community of fabricators, artists, scientists, engineers, educators, students, amateurs, professionals, of all ages located in more than 90 countries in approximately 1,500 FabLabs. From community based labs to advanced research centers, Fab Labs share the goal of democratizing access to the tools for technical invention and product innovation.(ends)