BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG (January 18, 2024)—The Department of Trade and Industry in Nueva Vizcaya and the UK-based FCF Minerals Corporation reaffirmed their commitment “to intensify their partnership on the implementation of various micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and industry development initiatives.
According to Manilyn ponce, DTI Region 2 information officer, these initiatives are under Project Generating Opportunities for Livelihood Development or Project GOLD.
To power up their collaboration on MSME, Ponce said DTI Nueva Vizcaya and FCF conducted a Focus Group Discussion on January 18, 2024.
Initiated in 2023, the DTI noted that the main goal of Project GOLD is to create a self-sustaining economy to guarantee the community’s independence, particularly beyond the FCF Minerals mine life.
Ponce also noted that this initiative is in addition to assisting community-based organizations and that “this partnership amplification is part of the project’s fourth component which is Monitoring and Evaluation.”
During the discussion, among the plans laid out include intensive product development for the various manufactured products of FCF-assisted peoples’ organizations or POs including processed foods and garments production utilizing loom woven fabrics.
As to the support and facilitation of the POs’ application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate (LTO), Ponce said the DTI is committed to assisting in the layout of the building and ensuring that it conforms with FDA standards, and the conduct of training sessions on good manufacturing practices and food safety.
Ponce said the DTI Nueva Vizcaya team will also assist the groups in their planning activities and exposure, and benchmarking activities to other successful centers in neighboring provinces.
Meanwhile, DTI Nueva Vizcaya also informed the groups of their plans to spotlight the various products of the POs in the Nueva Vizcaya Goes to Alabang Trade Fair slated for the 3rd Quarter of this year.
Joining the group discussion were DTI Business Development Division chief Lenore Lee Lopez, Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist (TIDS) Richard Siuagan, TIDS Silvester Miguel, and Trade Industry Development Analyst (TIDA) Small Business Corporation Jannyn Lafeguera.
FCF Minerals Corp. was represented by Judy Ann Romero, Amy Fe Ada, and Angelith Andres.