The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) amongst other government agencies launched the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Incubation Center (MSME-IC) at 2nd floor La Tabacalera Building on December 15.
PGIN collaborated with the Departments of Science and Technology (DOST), Trade and Industry (DTI), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Among the institutional partners present during the launch were DOST Provincial Director Engr. Benjamin Mercado, DICT Regional Director Engr. Rey Parnacio, and Ms. Amelia Galvez, DTI OIC Provincial Director. Among the academe partners present were Dr. Nathaniel Alimbuyog of MMSU, Dr. Luis Sison of the University of the Philippines (UP), and Dr. Socorro Galanto of TESDA.
This MSME Incubation Center aims to help the government of Ilocos Norte’s vision and focus of expanding the MSME sector. It also strives to showcase the products of the province’s homegrown enterprises.
“We know that there is already niche of people na talagang may entrepreneurs na tayo dito. There is no doubt about it. And we want to actually fortify that culture and capacity. And help them get there where they want to go,” Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc said during the launching of the MSME-IC.
He further pointed that this project is intended to be a co-working space and a one-stop shop for local entrepreneurs. The MSME-IC aims to cultivate development and promotional operations while also bringing key consumers and possible investors to one location, thereby assisting local MSMEs in expanding and broadening the reach of their products.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) approved this project and allocated PHP 4.3 toward its cost. Other services will also be provided to MSMEs, including the provision of technical assistance, capability building, and entrepreneurial skills enhancement.
Aside from the establishment of the Incubation Center, the PGIN MSME office also conducted the “Adal ken SirMATTa Mentoring Program,” the “Search for the Most Innovative Agri-Based Emergency Food Nutrition Security,” the Alaska MSME Cookfest, and the All IN Trade Fair at Laoag City Aurora Park. －Mariell Pahinag, PGIN-CMO.
