UP ISSI's radio program wins in 33rd CMMA

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irector Nestor O.Raneses sat as one of the judges of the 6th Sustainable Income for Agrarian Grassroots (SIPAG) Awards at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City last Wednesday. He joined the distinguished board of judges chaired by Undersecretary Gondelina G. Amata, president of the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) and exofficio vice- chair of the NLDC board of trustees.

Other members included Ms. Susana A. Leones, director of Agrarian Reform and another ex-officio member of the NLDC board of trustees; Ms. Myrna C. Bituin, owner and founder of Betis Crafts, Inc., and trustee of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.; and Mr. Ramon E. Lopez, executive director of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship and lead advocate of its Go Negosyo program.

Started in 2006, the SIPAG awards program is the annual flagship awards event of the NLDC that recognizes microentrepreneurs and microfinance institutions in the agrarian reform communities and marginalized sectors across the country.

With this year’s theme “Munting Puhunan…. KaSIPAGan…. Kaunlaran ng Bayan”, the 6th SIPAG Awards recognized 20 winners – four national winners; 12 regional partner conduit winners in the cooperative, non-government organization and rural financial institutions categories; and four regional microentrepreneur winners.

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t took 14 years before UP ISSI’s flagship program Managers Course (MC) was offered again in Davao City, and last October 8 a culminating activity was held to honor the 11 graduates who completed the course that lasted for 10 consecutive weekends.

It was MC’s 98th offering and only the second to be held in Davao City. Dubbed to be a “mini-MBA”, this flagship program of UP ISSI is usually held every Saturday for 20 consecutive weeks in Diliman, Quezon City. It is aimed at enhancing the managerial competence of participants by exposing them to a broad selection of modern management functions, tools and techniques.

The 98th MC was special in that it was held in Davao City and participants attended it for 10 consecutive Saturdays and Sundays.

The closing ceremonies were held in Villa Margarita Hotel and were facilitated by the program management team headed by Bless Clerigo. Dr. Anthony C. Sales, regional director of the Department of Science and Technology Region 11, delivered the keynote speech while UP ISSI Director Nestor O. Rañeses led the graduates’ oath taking as new members of the UP ISSI MC Alumni Association.

For their part, the participants gave their graduation response, which was led by the class president, Mr. Rocky Roy V. Cabiles, who is also the operations manager of Tiresmart Car Accessories Service Center.

UP ISSI’s administrative officer Din Abdul emceed the program.

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES Institute for Small-Scale Industries E. Virata Hall, E. Jacinto Street, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City Pioneering. Innovating. Entrepreneuring.