“Watch your cashflow.” This was the message of UP Vice-President for Planning and Finance Joselito G. Florendo to the participants of UP ISSI’s first lineup of programs for 2017 during the short opening ceremony held last 21 January 2017 in UP ISSI.
He stressed that since the three courses that just opened–Manager’s Course, Accounting for Non-Accountants and Start Your Own Business– are related to finance, he reminded everyone to focus more on savings rather than on spending, especially spending more than what was earned.
“It’s not enough you are earning or having good inventories,” he said, “it is more important also that you saved.”
VP Florendo also explained how the Philippines in the current millennium achieved the elevation of its economy because of five factors: remittances of overseas Filipino workers, booming business process outsourcing offices, tourism growth, young population, and small enterprises.
In conclusion, VP Florendo added: “Make use of what you have learned here at [UP ISSI] and please bring it forward to your respective companies.”
For his part, Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo, ISSI officer-in-charge and UP Diliman vice-chancellor for research and development, in his opening speech oriented first timers in UP Diliman on what to see in the more than 500 hectares of the campus: murals, architectural buildings, landmarks and several works of national artists spread across the University grounds.
Dr. Nemenzo also mentioned about the courses being offered by UP both in the graduate and undergraduate levels as well as other tidbits about the University. He went on to trace the beginning of ISSI from the adoption of the agreement between the governments of the Netherlands and the Philippines in 1966 for the establishment of a training institute to assist the development and growth of small-scale industries in the Philippines.
“UP ISSI is dedicated to [the] promotion of small enterprises,” said Dr. Nemenzo. “It is our advocacy to advance the welfare of the small industry, which is a very vital part of our economy.”
He also expounded on the culture being cultivated by the Institute, which is the first research and extension unit of the University.