Kawayan Collective Agriculture Cooperative, a social enterprise promoting the use of bamboo as an alternative to traditional construction materials, was given the highest Presidential Award for Outstanding Enterprise (small business category) for exemplifying “exceptional commitment to sustainable growth and inspiring leadership”.
In ceremonies July 8 in Malacañang, President Marcos awarded Kawayan Collective production manager Marbert Tinguha with a Presidential plaque during the celebration of MSME Development Week, spearheaded by the Department of Trade & Industry.
Six other SMEs and development partners representing the major island groups were also recognized.
“Standing before us are the dreamers, the risk-takers, and innovators who are helping us to accelerate the growth of our economy and of our society,” the President said. He added that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) awardees have shown “excellent capacity not only in generating revenue but also in encouraging sustainability, social justice, and ecological awareness”.
“Truly, they show us what an ideal local enterprise should look like – environmentally-conscious, community-driven, and socially-responsible,” the President said.
DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual referred to MSMEs as the “lifeblood of our nation’s economy”.
“With over 1.1 million business establishments, they are the unsung heroes who drive innovation, create jobs, and fuel growth across our archipelago,” DTI Secretary Pascual said. “These enterprises are not just the backbone of our economy; they are the pulsating heart of Filipino entrepreneurship, showcasing unparalleled resilience, ingenuity, and dedication to excellence.”
DTI Regional Director Ma. Elena Calumpang-Arbon said the award is basically given to SMEs for “a job well done”; for demonstrating their “ability to grow, and be competitive despite challenges; for innovation, for contributions to the local and national economy through job-generation”.
She said Central Visayas fielded three nominees: one small business, one medium business, and a development partner. “All have good stories to tell of growth, challenge, community contribution, and innovation, as they went through their entrepreneurial journey through the years.”
Secretary Pascual said DTI promotes the cause of enterprises and entrepreneurs. Under its flagship program Angat Negosyo, the agency spearheads the integration of digital technologies “to boost the competitiveness and scalability” of MSMEs. “By providing access to cutting-edge technologies and skill resources, we empower our MSMEs to reduce costs, enhance productivity, and broaden their market reach,” he said.
“DTI is also at the forefront of nurturing local industries, fostering a robust domestic market base, and paving the way for expansion into the global arena,” Secretary Pascual said. “Through our innovative programs, we are cultivating a vibrant start-up ecosystem, enabling our domestic enterprises to produce diverse, sophisticated products and services that can compete on the world stage.”
Kawayan Collective, founded in 2021 by Architect Ray Villanueva and his wife Amy Villanueva, specializes in bamboo processing and treatment to create a diverse range of products such as engineered panels, pre-fabrication models, and starter house kits.
The Villanueva couple, who were both schooled abroad, said their decision to establish operations in Dauin, about 16 kilometers south of Dumaguete, was influenced by various factors, notably the presence of skilled bamboo craftsmen who have long upheld the tradition of bamboo craftsmanship in the area. Records show that Negros Oriental has around 900 hectares of bamboo thickets.
“For every enterprise that we support, every innovation that we foster, [and] every product that we bring to [the] market, we create the opportunities for our fellow Filipinos to succeed and to build inroads for our economy to thrive and to prosper,” President Marcos said during the awarding ceremonies. (Irma Faith Pal)
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Photo Caption: President Marcos Jr. awards Negros Oriental-based Kawayan Collective Agriculture Cooperative, headed by production manager Marbert Tinguha, with the highest honor—the Presidential Award for Outstanding Enterprise (small business category) — for exemplifying “exceptional commitment to sustainable growth and inspiring leadership”. Looking on (from left): MSME Development Council Vice Chair Joey Concepcion, DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual, Executive Sec. Lucas Bersamin, DTI Central Visayas Regional Director Ma. Elena Calumpang-Arbon, and DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio, in ceremonies held July 8 in Malacañang.
