The Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) and the Department of Trade and Industry-Region 02 continue to strengthen ties through the implementation of various assignments under their Partnership Action Plan 2015-2020. CESO technical advisory services are in support of DTI’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development effort to improving the productivity of targeted small enterprises and sectoral clusters to encourage new employment opportunities, particularly for marginalized groups and beneficiaries of Shared Service Facilities (SSF).

Several assignments are expected to be implemented by CESO Volunteer Advisors this year. These include among others assistance on Organizational Management, Entrepreneurship Development, System Enhancement and Plant Lay-out Management.

Mr. Ira Teich, one of the most commendable Volunteers of CESO, rendered advisory services to Cagayan and Isabela for assessment of Organizational and Entrepreneurial Effectiveness of select-SSF Cooperators on January 10-February 2 and February 6-9, 2017 respectively.

In addition, VA Ira Teich conducted a one-day Seminar and Exit Meeting to each of the province on February 3 and 9, 2017 at the DTI Cagayan and DTI Isabela Negosyo Centers.

The two meetings were attended by OIC Regional Director of DTI-02, Mr. Ruben Diciano; the Provincial Directors of Cagayan and Isabela, Engr. Bernardino Mabborang and Ms. Ma. Salvacion Castillejos; CESO Manila Project Officers, Mr. Vener Valerio and Mr. Erwin Altamarino; DTI-02 Regional CESO Coordinator, Mr. Michael Paggabao; Municipal Trade and Industry Officers of the two DTI offices and officers of the SSF Cooperators.

The VA was very emphatic on the role of DTI in mentoring the SSF Cooperators as new enterprises tend to fail with no guidance. He made recommendations on how to improve their operations to make their businesses viable which include among others diversification of raw materials, product branding, package and label improvement, continuous product research and development, structural re-organization and others.

Similar assignment will be implemented by VA Gerry O’Conor for Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino on March 2017.

On the same month, VA Eric Cheong will be assisting two SSF Cooperators on enhancing their productivity and system operations including efficient plant lay-outing.