The City of Victorias is set to launch the Business Advancement, Nurturing, and Training towards Uninterrupted Growth (Bantug) for MSME program with the University of St. La Salle Bacolod’s Yu An Log College of Business and Accountancy (YAL-CBA).
A memorandum of agreement was signed at the Victorias City Hall Nov. 24 between Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and USLS chancellor Minnie Chua, and witnessed by City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions officer Paolo Valladarez, YAL-CBA dean Noreza Causing, and city and USLS officials.
The program is the city’s local business development initiative for Victoriasanon micro, small, and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and social livelihood beneficiaries, that will help empower them through business clinics, coaching, technical support, and an adopt-an-entrepreneur mentoring program.
It aims to strengthen and sustain entrepreneurial ventures in Victorias, the city said.
Valladarez said this initiative sparked while he was waiting for his Economics Class and having a casual conversation with YAL-CBA’s Institutional Community Extension Program (ICEP) coordinator, Dr. Jose Marie Bayona, at the CBA Faculty Room.
They both discussed the importance and mutual benefit of this capacity building and handholding program for Victoriasanon entrepreneurs, especially those who are trying to start a micro or small business.
He also expressed his passion in creating a stronger economy for Victorias City, by empowering local MSMEs and equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to survive, to grow, and to become sustainable.
Causing took note of how Victorias has become something of importance to them ever since the Creative Placemaking seminar they conducted last year. She said she was impressed by the city’s commitment to improving the lives of Victoriasanons, especially the small and marginalized groups, and she is proud and thankful for the opportunity to work with the local government once more.
“Education should not end in institutions alone,” Causing stressed. ||
