Sugbo Negosyo hopefuls must have potential to succeed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has reminded the members of the Provincial Board to look for those applicants who have potential to succeed when evaluating the Sugbo Negosyo applications.

Garcia said this in a coordination meeting and evaluation with the members of the PB, Department of Trade and Industry 7, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other officials last Monday.

"This is to help Cebuanos stand on their own two feet and we wish to see success stories. That is why when we evaluate these applications, bear this in mind, we must look for those that havethe potential to succeed, dili katong luoya sad ani niya uy," said Garcia.

"Though this is financial assistance in form of coupons, this is not a dole out. This is not for people to purchase goods at the supermarket, bring it home and eat it for themselves. We are not giving them fish para ilang ipanihapon ug ilang un-unan. We are giving them the fishing line, the hook line,and sinker para makamao sila mangisda," she added.

Garcia said she is aware that the mendicant culture has started to evolve since the government distributed food packs especially on its first month under community quarantine. She then stressed that this is not the Cebuano culture.

"The Cebuano way is to stand up on our own two feet and not look up with both hands extended to wait for alms. Dili ta makililimos. Makamao tang maningkamot basta tagaan lang og higayon. Tagaan lang og oportunidad ug mao kini atong gipangita. Mao ni atong gipaninguha nga mahimo," she added.

Garcia recalled that on her first round as governor, the MCCI was an effective partner in the Obra Negosyo Eskwela Program that helped micro-entrepreneurs to expand their business by teaching them the rudiments of book keeping, better packaging, and in seeking better markets.

She believed that there are many success stories because of government and private sector decided to join hands.

With Sugbo Negosyo, Garcia said this is about finding the potential success stories throughout the entire province and that they need the DTI and MCCIs mentoring.

After evaluation and approval of applications, each office of the PB members will have to submit the applications to the central committee on or before November 6.

Each district who evaluate and approve, will endorse the applications to the central committee only for confirmation, and to recheck and review if there is no doubled application.

PB Member Glenn Anthony Soco, who chairs the committee on trade and industry, said the confirmation and announcement of the approved applications shall be undertaken by the central committee composed representatives from the Office of the Governor, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Office of the Vice-Governor, DTI, MCCI and himself.

Soco said that eligible beneficiaries will be endorsed to DTI and MCCI for business development sessions and mentoring.

MCCI have already submitted the names of the members who will act as consultants of the board members and the vice governor. – GMR (FREEMAN)