Aklan Holds Summit On SMED

By Venus G. Villanueva

The province of Aklan held a provincial summit on Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) on October 30 at the Sam-paguita Gardens.
The summit is part of a provincial series on SMED in Western Visayas, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry in partnership with the German Technical Cooperation Office through the Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP), with the theme “One Shared Dream, Our Shared Commitment.”
The harmonized Aklan SMED plan for 2007–2010 was presented and highlighted by the commitment signing/declaration of support to it by the key provincial small and medium enterprise development (PSMED) stakeholders and summit guests/participants.
According to DTI Aklan Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes, the summit is a momentous event not only for the small and medium entrepreneurs but also for the government agencies, industry associations and other sectors who are actively involved in the preparation of the plan including those who declared their full support to it on October 30.
Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores of the Lone District of Aklan, Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo, Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, New Washington Mayor Edgar Peralta, DTI 6 Regional Director Dominic Abad, key PSMED stakeholders and other summit guests and participants attended the summit and the declaration of support to the harmonized Aklan SMED.
The expression of support and commitment followed after the harmonized PSMED Plan was presented through the four portfolio managers coming from the DILG, the DTI, LBP and TESDA.
Aklan leaders recognized the role of SMED in the generation and provision of jobs to skilled Aklanons in the loomweaving, food processing, furniture, gifts and housewares and services sectors.
At the Executive briefing held recently in Kalibo, Aklan by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Panay and Guimaras through PA Raul Banias together with regional directors from national government agencies, Land Bank of the Philippines Manager Serafin Gotico revealed that the bank has some P177 million fund available for lending to Aklan’s local government units, small farmers and fisherfolks, and small and medium enterprises.
“LBP has funds if the people would just come to us for assistance,” Manager Gotico said during the open forum of the executive briefing. /MP