Go Negosyo cites 3 GK communities

The Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), through its Go Negosyo campaign, will award three Gawad Kalinga (GK) communities as Most Inspiring Entrepreneurial Communities for 2007 for embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship as part of the GK777 anniversary on Oct. 27 at the SM Mall of Asia.

“We are delighted that even in small communities the drive to go into business is there. The chosen GK communities truly deserve the recognition,” said Presidential
Consultant for Entrepreneurship and PCE founding trustee Jose Concepcion III, who is set to grace the awarding on Saturday.

GK has established over 900 self-sustaining communities nationwide. Notable among these are Freedomville GK Village, GK Sunshineville, and GK Selecta Village, which proved to be ideal communities that promote an entrepreneurial mindset among its residents.

Freedomville GK Village in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is distinguished for its candle-making business spearheaded by Linda Francisco. This endeavor has not only allowed the residents to make quality candles but also serve as a venue to promote camaraderie among residents.

Francisco said: “I trained my colleagues and managed the business for more than two years. There were many obstacles, especially during the start, but as a community practicing solidarity, we overcame them. Seeing my fellows proud of what we do makes me happy and proud as well.”

The Las Piñas-based GK Sunshineville, on the other hand, boasts of a unique entrepreneurial venture that shows Filipino ingenuity. Under the leadership of Jenny Ronquillo, GK Sunshineville became a success in making baskets using water lilies.

According to Ronquillo, they really had a hard time gathering large amounts of water lilies to continue with their production. They had to talk to the residents and convince them to harvest the lilies themselves so they can just arrange for pick-up points.

The women of GK Sunshineville have also been actively involved in the project by weaving the baskets, putting to good use their idle time formerly spent playing bingo.

Students and other concerned organizations also helped the community through mentorship, especially in improving the designs of the baskets and teaching them new weaving techniques. The community is now supplying their trademark baskets to one of the country’s largest wine distributors.

The GK Selecta Village, meanwhile, converted a half-hectare idle property into an integrated urban farm where vegetables, herbs, and orchids, among others, are grown. GK Selecta Village is also considered the most visited GK village as Selecta employees troop to it every Saturday to have breakfast with the residents.

According to Andy Cuerquis, project director for the GK Selecta Village, community involvement was really instrumental in transforming what was once an unproductive piece of land into an urban farm.

“We had no special tools and equipment and just used our bare hands. What made this project a success is the spirit of bayanihan among the GK beneficiaries, its nearby communities and the GK volunteers,” Cuerquis said.

They started the project at the beginning of this year and in just three months, they were able to launch the urban farm. GK Selecta Village has recently furthered its entrepreneurial adventure by opening a spa and a cafe.

PCE, which has been an enthusiastic partner of GK, awarded three other inspiring GK communities in the GK expo last year – the GK Reunion Village, Smart Amazing GK Village, and GK Robin Hood – as part of its relentless effort in advocating entrepreneurship.