In a significant turn of events, officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a commitment before Gov. Gwen Garcia that the agency will be supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cebu through the Sugbo Negosyo program.

FDA officials, led by Deputy Director General Jesusa Joyce N. Cirunay, were at the Capitol on October 10 and outlined their plans to streamline the FDA application processes for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of guidance and training for applicants.

The DA is a health regulatory agency under the Department of Health which is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and regulation of cosmetics, drugs, foods, household hazardous products, medical devices and electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, pesticides, tobacco and related products, and vaccines for safety, efficacy, and quality in the Philippines.

During the meeting, Governor Gwen highlighted the objectives of her brainchild program Sugbo Negosyo, which is to help Cebuano micro and small entrepreneurs bring their businesses to the next level through capability-building trainings and capital assistance. 

Now in its third season, the program, which has an allocation of P100 million, will ordain its first millionaire who will emerge as the top entrepreneur-beneficiary from a pool of participants who have been subjected to intense screening processes. 

“We would like to establish the Cebu Brand under Sugbo Negosyo, and the FDA is a vital part of it,” Governor Gwen told the officials, underscoring the program’s potential to enhance the local economy and promote quality standards among Cebuano products. 

The FDA officials expressed their admiration for the program, recognizing it as an ideal platform to extend their assistance to local entrepreneurs.

“We will bring to Cebu Province this program of FDA to help Cebuano entrepreneurs,” Deputy Director General Cirunay told Gov. Gwen, affirming the FDA’s commitment to collaborating with the provincial government for this important initiative.

This collaboration signifies a proactive approach to empowering local businesses and ensure they meet regulatory standards, which is crucial for their success in the competitive market. 

In addition to the Sugbo Negosyo Program, FDA officials also requested Governor Gwen’s assistance in engaging Cebu’s state universities.

They aim to support student entrepreneurs by facilitating the FDA approval process for their products, thereby nurturing the next generation of innovators. | JMT