THE MMSU-Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team once again emerged one of the 16 semi-finalists in the opening round of the 2007 SIFE National Exposition held in separate venues in Manila, July 10-11.

The team was composed of Janill Magano (BSbio IV), Jonathan Viernes (BSBio IV), Karl Nick Balintec (BS Accountancy IV), Shandy Kesper Umoso (BS Computer IV), and Bella Gervacio (adviser). 

During the elimination round, the 46 competing teams were divided into different leagues with mostly 6-8 teams in each league.  MMSU’s team competed in the said round with Gordon College, Technological University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Central Philippines University, San Sebastian College, Capiz State University, and Philippine Christian University.    Together with San Sebastian College and the Technological University of the Philippines, it emerged one of the semi finalists for the opening round in their league.  In all the leagues that competed for the opening round, 16 advanced to the semi-final round.

San Beda College, the host institution, was chosen this year’s national grand champion and will represent the country to the International SIFE Exposition on Oct. 25-29 in New York, USA.

This is the third time that MMSU competed for the SIFE Exposition.  Last year, the team emerged as national grand champion and represented the Philippines to the International SIFE World Cup in Paris, France in September where they emerged as one of the semi-finalists.

The two-day activity was sponsored by the Cybercity Teleservices-SIFE Philippines. 

The SIFE Project

The SIFE Project has been an instrumental in enhancing the entrepreneurial and knowledge capabilities of rural folks in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.  For three years now, the SIFE team has been going to Brgy. Saud in the said town to bring in desirable change and brighter opportunities for the rural folks. Also, DTI, TESDA, PGIN, and MSWO-Pagudpud have been conducting activities to improve their shellcrafts. In fact, the Japan International Cooperation Agency has provided them P50,000 to acquire drilling machine, grinders, and cutters to make their products finer.  Enhancement trainings on product design and packaging have also been conducted which greatly contributed to the improvement of their products and services.  From producing and selling poorly designed house decors, the rural folks now have a variety of products to offer such as office decors, personal accessories, and souvenir items for weddings, baptismal, graduation, and other special occasions.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, MMSU’s SIFE team, together with the agencies mentioned earlier, facilitated the creation of the Saud White Sand Shellcraft Producers’ Association.  The organization seeks to stabilize product price to avoid competition among the producers. MMSU and  the other agencies involved have already registered the organization to the Department of Labor and Employment.  The shellcraft producers have been also linked to more market outlets in the province aside from the stalls they maintain at the Saud Beach Resort.  Through the LGU of Pagudpud, a new market building will be constructed for the shellcraft producers. 

According to Ms. Jenalyn Avendaño, the association’s president, “Before, you could see women gambling, gossiping, and delousing each other’s heads. Now you can see them very busy managing their family business.”
Project expansion

The SIFE project this year expanded by helping the bamboo producers in Brgy. Mumulaan, Nagbacalan, and in Bacsil, Paoay, Ilocos Norte through the project “Kawayan Enterprise in the Ilocos”.  The new project aims to provide farmers of income an alternative and profitable source that is environmentally and economically balanced and sustainable.  Among the partner agencies in this project are: Ilocos Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC), DTI, NEDA, MMSU, and LGU-Paoay.

An awareness campaign on bamboo production has been conducted by the project whereby the potentials of bamboo production and processing were emphasized.  Training needs assessment was done before a series of trainings on bamboo production and processing were conducted.  After the training, MMSU assisted the cooperators on the use of machineries for bamboo processing.