More market vendors graduate from Uswag Negosyo Academy

The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office, in collaboration with the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) and BDO Foundation, held a Completion Ceremony for the 6th batch of 16 Uswag Negosyo Academy (UNA) trainees at the City Mayor’s Office, City Hall, December 28.

This batch of participants has completed six sessions of training related to business operations and market management to foster the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

To sustain the improvement in MSMEs’ competitiveness and as part of the agreement between the City Government and BDO Foundation, BDO Network Bank Iloilo facilitated their respective BDO Kabayan accounts.

The P5,000 given by BDO Foundation to the completers will serve as additional capital for their businesses and be deposited in their accounts.

This will also encourage MSMEs to practice financial literacy, which will help them save money and manage their expenses on a day-to-day basis.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas commended the efforts of different offices, non-government agencies, and private companies for their huge support of the program.

“I am very happy with this program because it is a big help to the market vendors. Once the market rehabilitations are done, I want the vendors to go back and conduct their business there. Currently, together with our partner, SM, we are looking into how to further improve sanitation in the markets,” said Treñas.

Uswag Negosyo Academy (UNA) is a banner program of the Iloilo City Government through the LEDIP Office, which focuses on the needs and growth of local MSMEs in the metropolis.

“I learned from the training that the purpose of business is to create customers and satisfy them, which is the best business strategy of all. Customer satisfaction must be our priority, like arranging items neatly, practicing proper hygiene and safety, proper disposal handling, and being courteous, honest, and kind to customers. We are thankful to this program of the city government and Mayor Jerry Trenas for the Uswag Negosyo Academy,” said Cecilia Estrella, a vendor at Arevalo Market.

Vendors that have gone through training are from: Iloilo Terminal Market, Central Market, Jaro Big Public Market, Jaro Small Public Market, La Paz Public Market, Mandurriao Public Market, and Arevalo Public Market.

Each training session delves into topics including Work Ethics, Service Quality, Business Registration, Digitalization, Food Safety and Handling, Customer Service, Financial Literacy, Fair Trade laws, Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Business Continuity Planning (BCP), and Financial Education (Fish N’ Learn). (Andrea Pearl Fernandez/Iloilo City PIO).