Mindanaotoday.com | Oro MSMEs get support through ‘Startup Market’ project
By: Jasper Marie Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A total of six start-ups or Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) here have availed of the Startup Market program of SM CDO Downtown Premier as a market platform for them to reach out to the shoppers.
Located on the 5th floor of the mall, the six MSMEs include Thompsons’ Natural, Kiddie Momma PH, Ranna Philippines, Tacos de Amigos, Bake it Right, and Tropiquantes.
During the launching, December 15, Almer R. Masillones, provincial director of Department of Trade and Industry-Misamis Oriental (DTI-MOR) shared that they are happy for the new project launch of SM CDO Downtown Premier.
“This will really complement what DTI has been doing in giving a market platform for our MSMEs. I see here actually MSMEs that have been supported already by DTI through our business development seminars, graduated from the Kapatid Mentor Me program, two of them,” she said.
She further shared that this will inspire the rest of the MSMEs or budding entrepreneurs in the region and that DTI will continue to provide support in terms of entrepreneurial development needed for micro enterprise.
Meanwhile, Michael and Catherine Fabello, owners of Kiddie Momma PH shared their products are essential oil based formulated to help parents and their kids with problems on skin, sleep disorder among others.
“All our products are natural, also tanan namo products naay [all our products have] essential oil, dili lang siya [not just] effective, they are known to be expensive but with Kiddie Momma, we make expensive affordable,” she said.
They produce mosquito repellent, balms, healing cream, pain rub, healing sticks, breastfeeding balms and essential oil.
Joey Tumolva, SM Regional Operations Manager shared that this is their way of giving back as an original MSME themselves, saying “We started as an MSME with Mr. Henry Sy Sr.”
“We are offering the MSMEs the value support they need to start their own SM shops,” he said.
The package offers startup friendly rental rates and use of kiosks free of charge, marketing assistance to give the brand free exposure and financial assistance with BDO among others.
SM has also worked with the government in the fight against Covid-19 through the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Covid-19 who served more than 6.5 million doses in 71 SM malls nationwide, the private entity who has vaccinated the most number of people in the country. (JMOR | PIA-10)
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