USWAG Sarangani showcases private partnerships

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – “This celebration showcases our public-private partnership (towards progress)”, Governor Migs Dominguez said Tuesday, July 27 in a press conference sponsored by Globe Telecom.

Sarangani celebrates its 6th USWAG (United Towards Strong, Wealthy, and Globally Competitive) Sarangani during the week (July 27-August 1) with product exhibits at the Gaisano Mall.

USWAG is Sarangani’s local version of the national Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) week-long celebration.

In Sarangani, Globe has been assisting four of the province’s micro-enterprises that have shown remarkable growth in the last few months.

“We have big plans in SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City , Sultan Kudarat),” Globe regional area head Norma Zamora- Ribo said. “We are right now preparing for another roll-out with our broadband facilities.”

At the press conference, Ribo introduced WiMAX, Globe’s latest broadband technology in 4G signal and the first in the country.

Ribo said Globe plans to build 100 additional sites in Mindanao, 50 of these will be built in the region.

“We are here to make business and to help,” Ribo added.

“Development should start in the community like Ihan,” said Jeffrey Tarayao, corporate social responsibility head. Sitio Ihan Lumad Association (SILA) in Ihan is one of the four communities assisted by Globe who now produces handcrafted basketry, plates, mats, and picture frames from bamboo, abaca, nito and rattan.

SILA members are a group of outlaws who used to attack Globe facilities in the area.

“It was Governor Migs’ idea to spur development in Sarangani,” Tarayao said.

“It is the private sector that builds the economy. We are just providing opportunities where investments will thrive and for our people to improve their way of living,” Dominguez said.

The 6th USWAG Sarangani celebration is dubbed as “Tagumpay Mula sa Kahirapan”.

Department of Trade and Industry provincial director Engr. Nenita Barroso said since 2005 until June this year, business registrants increased in an average of 28 percent every year.

“Consequently, there is an increase of employment for about 29 percent every year,” Barroso said.

“We just want to have alive and thriving business partnerships with the private sectors in the province,” Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry board chairman Bronx Hebrona said. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)