East Visayas SMEs created 12,000 jobs in 2011, DTI says

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 2, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector in Eastern Visayas has created at least 12,000 jobs in 2011, the Regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) informed.

This exceeded the Region’s target for the SMEs to generate 9,899 jobs for 2011, DTI-8 Regional Director Cynthia Nierras said.

The SMEs creation of more than 12,000 jobs helped reduce the unemployment problem of Eastern Visayas, Director Nierras said. Assisting the operations of the SMEs is part of the major mandate of the DTI.

DTI is happy that the SMEs in the Region are doing well. This will not only help the local economy but at the same time serve as an engine in creating the much-needed employment, Director Nierra added.

“Our SMEs across the region have served as another source of job generation. In fact, as of September, it surpassed our target by providing employment to our people,” Nierras said.

As of September of this year, the SMEs sector has so far generated 12,020 employments which is relatively higher compared to their target for this year of 9,899.

The 12,020 individuals who are employed in the sector are currently working in the 2,751 small and medium enterprises across the region, Nierras said.

DTI is doing everything to help these SMEs like assisting them develop their product by providing the necessary technical assistance and how to market their products, Director Nierras said.

The SMEs are being provided with the necessary avenue by their department to ensure that their products and in the process, their market, will expand.

These include joining trade fairs during which our local products get to be introduced to other market, Director Nierras said.