Islands ties up with Bohol coop
The Islands Group expanded their Inclusive Business Program to the province of Bohol with a recently signed partnership between Islands Souvenirs and the Badiang Self Help Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Barangay Bacong in the town of Anda.
Micro-entrepreneurs under the Bohol-based cooperative are now suppliers of the brand’s banana chips. The contract signing was held at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Office in Tagbilaran and attended by Islands Group Executive Vice President Camille V. Aldeguer, Islands Souvenirs General Manager Michael Dispo, cooperative chairperson Cipriana B. Amogu- is, and DTI Bohol OIC Jerome Gabin.
Islands’ Inclusive Business Program is an incubation program that gives micro-entrepreneurs access to a wider market through Islands Souvenirs outlets nationwide.
“We have scoured the region for the best tasting banana chips and theirs has superior quality and taste. After Bohol, we will visit more regions in the Philippines to reach out to small business owners who make local pasalubong treats and introduce our program to them,” said Islands Group CEO Jay Aldeguer.
DTI Bohol will continue to assist the cooperative and future micro entrepreneurs in the program through capacity-building and product development. Islands will provide branding and marketing assistance, as well as access to customers.
“This is a new market for these micro entrepreneurs and with continued support, our Inclusive Business Program hopes to give more and more businesses the break they need,” Aldeguer said. “It has always been our mission to help entrepreneurs and empower small businesses. I believe in the spirit of entrepreneurship and if Filipinos are given the opportunity, they can really become world-class entrepreneurs.”