Women micro-entrepreneurs, green projects draw focus

To recognize the role that women play in society, this year’s Mandaue Business Month (MBM) is conducting a a search for WINNERS or Women in Need Now Entrepreneurs and Role Models.

MBM 2011 overall chairman Stanley Go said the search, which is headed by Carmel de Pio-Salvador, will award  three women entrepreneurs in Mandaue City and help them grow sustainable  businesses.

Out of  72 nominated micro-entrepreneurs from the city’s 27 barangays, the chamber selected the top 23 last Saturday.

The 23   were selected based on their business plans (30 percent),  a question-and-answer session that tested their communication skills and self-confidence (20 percent) and  their inspirational stories of courage, perseverance and creativity (50 percent).

“The search is a quest for model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue City who are supporting their families and who are struggling to rise from poverty through their business ventures. Their stories of perseverance and creativity will inspire other women to be empowered,” Salvador said.

The top 23 micro-entrepreneurs will be announced on Aug. 24.

They will undergo training by the University of San Carlos under their Kapamilya Negosyo Na program.

“They will also undergo training and workshops on personality development and will be pampered in a spa. From the 23 we will select the top three who will receive cash prizes,” said Salvador.

The third prize winner will receive  P20,000; P30,000  for the second prize;  and P50,000 for the first prize.

Mass communication students of Saint Theresa’s College will write the stories of the women entrepreneurs, which will be posted in the MCCI  website.

The chamber  launched MBM 2011 with the theme “Transformation Through Innovation” last Friday.

The opening salvo  on Aug. 5  will feature an  Eco-walk to showcase the creativity  of Cebu’s young and rising fashion designers  on the runway.

Clothes,  bags and accessories made of eco-friendly and indigenous materials in partnership with Anthill will be displayed.

Another highlight is the One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit to be   attended by business executives.

Eric Ng-Mendoza, MCCI president, said the summit  will provide insights on how to survive the economic and business challenges using innovative solutions.

“Top-caliber speakers will discuss global and economic outlooks, corporate growth strategies and reconciling green growth with business goals,” Mendoza said.

To inspire green initiatives,  the chamber will also launch OVANTA: Outstanding Ventures and New Technological Alternatives Exhibition on Aug. 19-23.

“This exhibition will showcase new global green technology and alternatives as well as noteworthy green initiatives, business practices of select organizations and local government units,” Go said.

Go said the Obra Negosyo Skwela project, which aims to encourage entrepreneurship in the countryside, will  have its second run in partnership with the Cebu provincial government.

This year’s budget for all the events is pegged at P6 million.

The Cebu provincial government and Mandaue City government each  gave P3 million assistance.