Two micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Region 3 (Central Luzon) will vie for the top awards in this year’s National Productivity Olympics.
Geraldine Panlilio, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 3, said on Monday the region’s entries to the national competition hurdled a series of regional and national screening sessions.
GrainPro Phils. Inc. from Zambales qualified for the medium agribusiness sector category while Boba Time Food Corner, also from Zambales, qualified for the micro service sector category.
Panlilio, who also sits as chairperson of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-3, said both MSMEs have demonstrated resiliency and productivity amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“They are already winners because they were able to show that they can bounce back better, bear difficult things, and adopt to the new normal. It is truly worth applauding how they were able to emerge victorious against all difficulties sparked by the pandemic,” she said in a statement.
Panlilio said GrainPro Phils Inc. and Boba Time representatives will present their business continuity plans and strategies, and employee engagement programs to the national judging panel composed of senior officials from DOLE, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), labor and employer representatives and business and productivity experts.
“It is indeed a great experience. By joining this competition, we are able to showcase the resiliency of our business and our employees through collaboration and by helping each other. In these trying times, what we need is team work for us to continue what we started. It has taught us to grow and expand without compromising the welfare, safety, and well-being of our employees,” said Sharon Novales, human resource manager of GrainPro Phils. Inc.
Meanwhile, Nerissa Juco, marketing manager of Boba Time Food Corner, said while many companies are hurting during the pandemic, some MSMEs are seeing lots of opportunities, good income and returning customers.
“This pandemic has been a gateway to really think outside the box. It has been a great challenge for us to strive for the better and be sustainable during this time,” Juco said.
With the theme “Bounce Back Better”, the 2021 National Productivity Olympics recognizes the most resilient and productive MSMEs nationwide.
Criteria for judging are business continuity plans and strategies, employee engagement programs, including compliance with health and safety protocols and employment preservation.
National winners will receive a PHP150,000 cash award and priority endorsement to productivity training programs and services.
Awarding will be held in October in time for the Productivity and Quality Month.
Source: Philippines News Agency
