DTI 7 and Cebu GTH receive 2009 Presidential Citation for Best Practice in improving access to markets

The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas (DTI7) and the Cebu Gifts, Toys and Housewares Foundation (Cebu-GTH), represented by DTI regional director Asteria Caberte and exporter Jenifer Cruz, recently received a 2009 Presidential Citation for Best Practice in improving access to markets for implementing the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation (SPIN) program during the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Week at the Megatrade Hall 3 , SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

The SPIN Program, a government-private undertaking, not only generates employment for weavers but likewise assists exporters in increasing production volume of exported products.

Under the program, weavers in the countryside are made to undergo skills training on weaving and craftsmanship after which, their hand-made products are bought by the exporters once these passed quality standards. In this way, rebel returnees and indigents can immediately earn an income after a hard day's work with their earnings dependent on the number of products they make.

SPIN trainings are focused on a “market driven” scheme wherein the products to be made by the trained group are actual export orders. Most exporters who do not have enough workers to do the job orders of their clients subcontract some of these processes.

SPIN training outputs pass the quality standards of the Cebu GTH member-exporters. The trainees will have immediate purchase orders (POs) which would mean immediate income for them.

The SPIN program is developed and spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 7 (DTI) upon the directive of President Gloria Arroyo. The program is in line with the thrust of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on employment generation which is enshrined in her 10-point program of action for 2004-2010.

Months after the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation Network (SPIN) program was rolled out to cleared conflict areas and marginalized sectors in the country, residents who have been beneficiaries of skills trainings conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cebu Gifts, Toys, and Housewares Foundation (Cebu-GTH) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have already delivered the booked orders of exporters.

As of June 2009, the SPIN Program has been rolled out to 9 regions in the country including regions 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and CARAGA. Around 109 trainings already benefited 35 MSMEs and 2,622 people. It has received booked orders amounting to Php 67.17598 M.

In Central Visayas, 45 municipalities have benefited from the program. Around 77 trainings have generated 1,791 jobs. Booked orders for hapao baskets, placemats, tip towels and trays have reached Php 59.863 M.