LANAO DEL SUR (PIA)--The Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW)-Philippines in partnership with the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM’s) Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT), Marawi City Social Welfare and Development Office (MCSWDO) and Raheemah Peace Weavers alongside Save the Children commenced, July 7, a three-day capacity building for 100 women-headed households who will receive livelihood assistance under its Sustaining Women Economic Empowerment Project (SWEEP). 

The one-year project was funded by the Islamic Relief-USA with selected beneficiaries from Marawi City and the municipalities of Marantao and Tugaya all in the province of Lanao del Sur.

IRW-Philippines Area Program Manager Sittie-Jamairah Disomimba said the capacity building will help the participants make sure of their selected business as they will experience business plan formulation, identification of product ideas, marketing and production plan, financial analysis, resource augmentation or maximization, final action plan and sustainable enterprise development, among others.

They will also undergo entrepreneurial competency tests, elect their own self-help group (SHG) officers and formulate their internal policies to strongly establish their membership in the founded group.

“This is a capacity building process wherein they will appreciate the processes of business production, marketing and everything,” said Disomimba.

She added that at the end of the three-day capacity development, participants are expected to submit their business proposals for follow-up evaluations and processes to know the type of assistance they need.

All beneficiaries will be provided with their capitalization worth P50,000 for their start-up and more strategic steps will be taken for the next months to assure sustainability for their businesses, especially for those going into manufacturing.

Disomimba urged the beneficiaries that although they are not beginners to the world of business, they should still treat this initiative as an opportunity for them to run a sustainable business. 

“Please make use of this project na maging sustainable ang inyong iniisip na project (to make the project you are thinking sustainable). I understand most of you are into businesses na [already]. Maybe, you already know the ins and outs but still, take the opportunity na magamit niyo ito (to use this) in the long run. This is a bit different from the rest, a bit tedious, a bit longer, but at the end, we are hoping na maging mas sustainable siya (that it will be more sustainable),” she said.

Meanwhile, the MTIT which also helped the IRW facilitate the capacity development expressed its happiness for having another partner in promoting economic development in the province of Lanao del Sur.

“Ako po ay nagagalak na kahit papapaano is mayroon tayong mga pwedeng ibang partners for the entrepreneurship at economic development ng ating lalawigan, ang Lanao del Sur, maliban sa ating partner government agencies,” said MTITProvincial Director  Mohammad Aquil Mamainte.

(I am glad that at least, we have other partners for the entrepreneurship and economic development in our province, in Lanao del Sur, apart from our partner government agencies). (Claire R. Gigje/PIA-10/ICIC Lanao del Sur)