UP ISSI brought an enhanced Small Business Counselors’ Course (SBCC) to Region 5 last 26 to 30 September 2016 at Patio de San Jose in P5 San Jose, Malilipot, Albay. Through an intensified partnership among the Institute, the Human Resource and Administrative Services (HRAS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and DTI Region 5, some enrichments made to the curriculum include modules on innovation management, rapid appraisal techniques, and basic taxation for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Moreover, the pool of training faculty included experts from the Bicol University and the Bureau of Internal Revenue – Legazpi, in addition to the small business counseling specialists from UP ISSI.
A total of 39 small business counselors graduated from the course after completing and presenting their Enterprise Assessment Plans of four MSMEs representing prominent industries in the Bicol Region: Forecast Industries, RCB Crafts and Designs, Southeastern Fiber Products, and Albay Terra Cotta & Crafts, formerly Bicol Ceramika (in photo).
The pool of evaluators included: DTI – Region 5’s regional director, Engr. Jocelyn LB. Blanco; Dr. Rodrigo H. Romero, a former member of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and UP ISSI’s head of the Training and Entrepreneurship Education Division, Engr. Ma. Luisa S. Lee.
In line with the continuing certification of DTI’s small business counselors nationwide, UP ISSI is scheduled to bring the SBCC to the Regional Cluster 3 in Davao City in October 2016.