SEDPI, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), provided local government officers of San Vicente, Palawan trainings on Microfinance and Enterprise Development, and Making Markets Work for the poor. The trainings were held on January 14-16 and January 28-30 respectively. Trainings were given as part of CCC’s project of creating eco-towns or economically stable and ecologically sustainable communities which can withstand the disastrous effects of climate change.
The trainings were provided after SEDPI conducted market research on value chain analysis (VCA) to identify (a) financial service providers in town; (b) agricultural market players with roles in flow of goods, transportation, tourism; and (c) interventions and plans of the local government unit regarding agriculture, fishing, and tourism. The training shall help the LGU make San Vicente conducive for microfinance and microenterprises that will sprout from the eco-town project. The VCA identified that there is demand for vegetables in San Vicente. It is ideal as it requires low capitalization, high possibility of community participation, and high income potential.
A total of 21 LGU officers were trained for both trainings. They were all greatly satisfied and a few even requesting more related trainings. SEDPI trainers received positive feedback from the participants for efficiently conducting trainings. A participant even remarked, “Excellent, well-versed and lively speakers! Congratulations for job well done and thank you for the enlightenment and knowledge you impart.” The process does not end here, though as the LGU’s role is critical as it should exhaust every possible means to lead the project to success.
San Vicente LGU adds to the long list of SEDPI’s accomplishments. Hopefully, SEDPI will be able to extend its expertise to other LGUs in socially meaningful projects like the eco-town project of the CCC.