CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here recently launched its Project SAGIP or Strengthening and Guiding Consumers, MSMEs, and Industries towards Prosperity at barangays Mataddi and Giayan in Nagtipunan, the farthest barangays of the province.

The said project aims to bring the DTI's services closer to people and in fulfillment to its mantra of providing "Serbisyong Higit pa sa Inaasahan."

Provincial Director Mary Ann Corpuz-Dy said Project SAGIP aims to assess the needs of the farmer-entrepreneurs and provide them with the assistance, tools, and equipment they really needed.

"The launch is just the first step of the agency towards intensifying its programs and services up to the grassroots level," Corpuz-Dy said.

On the other hand, Macaria Cabe, High Value Crops Provincial coordinator of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture has committed full support for the said undertaking as she assured that the Provincial Agriculture Office will continue working with DTI especially for the welfare of the farmer-entrepreneurs.

Initially, the project benefited some 113 farmer-entrepreneurs from the two barangays.

Shiela A. Nera, senior trade industry development specialist, and Claude Zephrix C. Ariston, technical staff, briefed the farmer-entepreneurs on the services of DTI.

A focus group discussion on resource mapping, need assessments for training and facilities for value-adding, and profiling for the provision of business kits were also conducted.

Furthermore, a product mapping for market matching purposes was likewise conducted. (OTB/TCB/with reports from Silvester Miguel of DTI Quirino/PIA Quirino)