GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Friday, June 23, to reinforce its support for the Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprise (BDFE), a project component of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The BDFE focuses on economic ventures of eligible People’s Organizations (POs) that sustainably utilize and enhance natural resources for the benefit of the community, particularly in coastal areas.

The MOU serves as a framework for partner government agencies to collaborate, delegate responsibilities, and achieve mutual understanding.

Aside from DTI, several national government agencies in Region 12, including the Department of Labor and Employment, Cooperative Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute, and Department of Health, were also part of the MOU signing.

Atty. Felix Alicer, Regional Executive Director of DENR 12, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in his opening message, stating, “What is important is that we can complement our efforts in such a way that we can improve the quality of life of our beneficiaries. This memorandum agreement that we are entering into is a vehicle for us to facilitate government interventions.”

Meanwhile, DTI Region 12 Director Flora Politud-Gabunales expressed gratitude for DTI to be involved in this undertaking, saying, “It is a great privilege for us to be a part of this MOU signing because this is how we can further extend our services to enterprises who are conscientiously biodiversity resources.”

The signing of the MOU indicates that the partner agencies have reached an understanding and are committed to advancing the development of BDFEs. In addition to DTI’s support to BDFE, the Promotion for Green Economic Development (ProGED) project of DTI focuses on showcasing environmentally-friendly practices with the primary objective of raising awareness among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and partner agencies about the advantages of embracing sustainable and eco-conscious approaches, while also supporting the development of environmentally-friendly and climate-smart initiatives. ♦

Date of release: 27 June 2023

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