The Cebu Provincial Government and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) are set to sign a memorandum of agreement to formalize for their collaboration in the Capitol’s Sugbo Negosyo Program.
In a meeting on October 18, FDA OIC Director General Jesusa Joyce Cirunay introduced to Gov. Gwen Garcia the “Bigyang Halaga, Bangon MSMEs” initiative of the agency aimed at helping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) develop market-oriented products that comply with domestic and international standards.
Governor Gwen expressed her support for the initiative, acknowledging the challenges faced by Sugbo Negosyo winners in obtaining FDA product accreditation over the years. But this is expected to change for the better now that the FDA has come aboard the Capitol program that helps qualified Cebuano micro entrepreneurs get their ventures to the next level through capability-building trainings and capital assistance.
Also in attendance were sixth district Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, MCCI past president Steven Yu, DTI Cebu director Rose Mae Quiñanola, CNU Vice President for Admin Dr. Joseph Tubilan, CTU President Joseph Pepito, and DOST regional director Engr. Jesus Zamora Jr.
The FDA involvement is expected to streamline the processes for Sugbo Negosyo winners and beneficiaries in securing their licenses to operate from the agency.
The FDA 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.
Now in its third season, Sugbo Negosyo, 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 shall have been subjected to intense screening processes and mentorship by esteemed business personalities in Cebu.
The program has also engaged other sectors in a bid to continually make it better. For instance, Cebu Normal University and Cebu Technological University have served as testing venues, while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has agreed to waive testing fees.
The program now also includes food safety training conducted in collaboration with the FDA, DOST, and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to assist beneficiaries in meeting licensing requirements.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) oversees product labeling, with the FDA responsible for issuing licenses and providing regulatory oversight. | MARM