NAGA CITY --- Six LGU-members of the Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC) will soon receive financial and technical assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency-funded GREAT Women Project for the establishment of common service facilities in their respective municipalities. This was signified in a partnership agreement signed last Friday, December 3, with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), DTI, DOLE, DOST and DENR.

        The service facilities aim to enhance the production capabilities of women-led micro enterprises, specifically the producers/processors of bamboocraft, agas, pili , ceramics, crab paste and kakanin in Bula, Milaor, Naga City, Magarao, Gainza and Pili, respectively.

        The PCW, formerly known as NCRFW and the lead agency implementing the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project, will provide initial funding for the procurement of equipment. It will likewise provide funding for the capacity development activities of the women micro-entrepreneurs, and provide technical assistance to the common service facilities, among others, making available information vital to the pursuit of the facility and linking it to appropriate technical resources.

        MNDC, on the other hand, will facilitate linkages to various business service providers such as national government agencies, non-government organizations, and research institutions; facilitate business support services such as market promotion and inclusion of CSF products in trade fairs.

        The partner-LGUs will provide funding for the acquisition of other assets (land, building, office furnishing, and office equipment), operating capital, and research and development. They will also ensure that the needs of the marginalized women are addressed and are carried out in the implementation and management of the CSFs until their turn-over to the WMEs. They will take the lead in creating linkages and networks with support agencies/organizations through their One-Stop Women Enterprise Development Desks; and ensuring the sustainability of the project.

        The operation of the production facilities is also supported by national government agencies, particularly DOST, DTI, DENR and DOLE. They will provide additional equipment, technical assistance, training, product development and marketing support to ensure the success of the project.

        The Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project is being implemented in the Metro Naga area through PCW and the Metro Naga Development Council. GREAT Women Project Manager Luzviminda A. Villanueva said in an interview that the partnership aims to establish a gender-responsive enabling environment at the local level for the economic empowerment of women, particularly, women in micro-enterprises or WMEs. She said that efforts under the partnership should lead to (a) women’s increased access to economic and/or enterprise-related programs and services, (b) better support services for women’s economic/ enterprise endeavors, (c) less constraints on women as a result of gender and reproductive roles and expectations, and (d) better incomes and expanded capabilities and life opportunities for women.