Mabini limers cited in 2nd BEA for SMEs
The Mabini limers, known as the Mabini Limers and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Incorporated, the One Town One Product (OTOP) project of Buenavista, Guimaras, was chosen as one of the awardees for both the regional and national categories of the 2nd Business Excellence Award (BEA) for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), said Department of Trade and Industry-Guimaras Provincial Director Jose M. Divinagracia.
Divinagracia said that the news came after his office received a letter from Dr. Mina T. Gabor, President, Philippine Small and Medium Business Development Foundation (PHILSMED), the leading organization in the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country recently.
As a national winner, the Mabini limers received cash prize of P20,000.00, phone kit courtesy of Globe Telecom, a trophy, free booth at the next PHILSMED fair, 50% discount on all PHILSMED related activities, free registration fee for attendance to the business opportunities forum, free inclusion to PHILSMED consultancy services, and automatic free membership to PHILSMED. The awarding ceremony was held on 6 October 2005 with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila as guest together with prominent personalities involved in the promotion and development of SMEs.
Emma Cagud, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-Guimaras and Account Officer of this OTOP project, said that the group is very happy about the award. “The limers struggled so hard to attain where they are now.” According to Cagud, the cooperative started very small. With the assistance of DTI, on September 17, 1990, the limers were organized into an association composed of 12 members. They called themselves “Katipunan sang mga Manug-apog sa Mabini.” Operation was limited to producing quicklime and selling to middlemen and big industrial lime producers in Guimaras. On June 17, 1993, the members reorganized and formed the “Mabini Limers and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative” with 25 members and an initial paid-up capital of P12,500.00.
The steady growth and continued success of the cooperative has earned them recognitions in the regional and national level. Aside from this BEA award for SMEs from PHILSMED, past awards included: 1998-Best Cooperative for Economic Advancement of Members from the Province of Guimaras, Most Outstanding Cooperative in Region 6 for year 1998 and 2001, Regional Winner on Best Cooperative Practices 2001, and Provincial Award for Best Cooperative in 2004. When asked about the secret of their success, the group headed by Mr. Dionito Eñano Sr., past Chairman and presently General Manager of the Cooperative, said that cooperation among members, sincerity, dedication and commitment of the key leaders are their weapons for success.