MMSU students to represent RP in SIFE World Cup 2006

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE – Four college students of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) will represent the Philippines in the Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) World Cup 2006 on September 11 – 14 in Paris, France. Competing against delegates of 48 other countries are Nathaniel Alonzo, Janill Magano, Joyce Rallojay, and Patrick Joseph Sardonas. All are set to fly to Paris on September 10. The team is expected to present an entrepreneurial project for the community to the board of judges in the Olympic-like international competition. The Philippine SIFE delegation has chosen the project titled “Improving Ilocano Women’s Lives through Shellcraft Enterprise" targeting to help women folk in Ilocos Norte in northern Philippines. Dr. Robert Galindez, SIFE Philippines, Inc. president, said the team members are now well-prepared “to compete once again in the international arena." The students also held a project presentation to the media at the Cyber City Teleservices (CCTL) atrium here. In their presentation, students said the project aims to increase the income of women in fishing villages in Ilocos Norte through entrepreneurship by improving their knowledge and skills in the production and marketing of shellcraft products. Target villages include Saud, Caparispisan, Balaoi, Pasaleng, Pancian, and Caunayan, Pagudpud. The project’s financial assistance given to the target participants aims to provide venture capital for the proposed business; give the producers the opportunity to acquire new technology needed to enhance production; improve the quality of their products and sustain/sustain their business ands their market. Based on the project’s financial analysis, participants could earn at least P62,500 – 65,000 ($1,225 – $1,275) annually for flower vase/décor and bracelets. During peak months, they could earn as much as P7,500 monthly ($147) on peak seasons and P2,500 monthly ($49) during off-peak seasons. Average daily profit could reach P249. Also in their presentation, the students showed how women could not only earn profits but also care for the environment. Various goals were also attained like strengthening the women’s bargaining power; improving quality control for the products; and luring women away from gambling. Galindez and team adviser Bella Gervacio said women folks of Pagudpud are now gearing for the global market in the shellcraft industry. The Philippines won the first runner up in August 2003 in Barcelona, Germany. “We were tied [in points] with the US but in the end, they proclaimed us as runner up and five judges in the competition walked out since they expected that the Philippines will win," Galindez said. This year’s team, however, could have the advantage against other participants since their project caters to women, Galindez said, stressing that projects catering to women address problems of the world under the medium term millennium development goals. George Sorio, CCTL’s senior executive vice president, said they have “amplified CCTL’s continued commitment as SIFE donor to help students in developing their skills needed to achieve their dreams." SIFE, with 321 member-schools in the Philippines, is a global non-profit organization active in more than 40 countries. It gets funds contributions given by corporations, entrepreneurs, foundations, government agencies and individuals. Working in partnership with business and higher education, SIFE establishes student teams on university campuses. These teams are led by faculty advisors and they are challenged to develop community outreach projects that reach SIFE's five educational topics: Market Economics, Success Skills, Entrepreneurship Financial Literacy and Business Ethics. Next year’s SIFE World Cup will be held in New York. -GMANews.TV