QUEZON PROVINCE – Supporting the development objectives of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the enterprise development (I-REAP) component team of the PRDP South Luzon Project Support Office (PSO) reviewed the business processes of two approved seaweeds enterprise subprojects.

According to Business Development Officer John Darel Colarina, the Business Process Review (BPR) is an initiative of the cluster to assess the current business operation of an enterprise based on the four business functions, namely: organizational development, marketing, finance, and operations. “It also aims to identify areas for improvement and assess the needs of the group in terms of technical assistance,” he added.

The team composed of staff from the I-REAP component, Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) unit, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) unit evaluated the two subprojects namely, “Seaweeds Production and Marketing of Capuluan Central Fishermen/Farmers Association (CaCFFA)” in Guinayangan and “Quezon and Seaweeds Production and Marketing of Samahan ng Mangingisda at Magsi-Seaweeds sa Brgy. Villa San Isidro (SMMVSI)” in Calauag, Quezon.

The CaCFFA managed to start their operations in May 2018 despite heavy rains and has been able to earn for three cycles. The group has received insurance payout from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and new seaweeds seedlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to support their production cycle. This time, the CaCFFA will try the deep sea method or the vertical method of seaweed culture which is more resilient to natural calamities.

On the other hand, SMMVSI has received its first tranche consisting of a delivery truck and planting tools. The seaweeds and drying facilities would be procured in the second tranche.

After the review, the BPR team expounded on how to better manage the enterprises. In particular, organizational structures, enhancement of financial know-hows, marketing support, and creation of operational guidelines were given focus. ###(Lawrence Albert A. Bariring, PRDP CALABARZON RPCO InfoACE Unit)

President Mauricio Watiwat of the Capuluan Central Fishermen Association in Guinayangan, Quezon gave the current status of the organization to South Luzon PSO staff.

Officers and some members of the Samahan ng mga Mangingisda at Magsi-seaweeds ng Brgy. Villa San Isidro in Calauag, Quezon were briefed on the importance and significance of the business process review for the success of their enterprise.