DTI-Bataan wins another BSP award

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Winning for the second straight year a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) citation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bataan vouched to enlighten more consumers – indigenous people, villagers or sick patients – about salient currency programs of the country.

This as DTI-Bataan was hailed BSP-San Fernando’s Outstanding Regional Partner in Currency Programs during the 2015 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders in Region 3 held at the Hotel Gracelane, San Fernando City, Pampanga on August 7.

“BSP saw our passion and dedication in work. Every time we have a seminar on entrepreneurship, we always include the advocacy of BSP. We are happy that our efforts are recognized,” said DTI-Bataan OIC Nelin Cabahug. Cabahug, together with her staff, received the Dynamic Balance, Philippine Eagle trophy from Monetary Board Member Alfredo Antonio.

This is the second year the Bataan office, the only DTI provincial office in Central Luzon to receive a BSP award, captured the fastidious eyes of the country’s central bank after emerging as the lone winner in last year’s ceremony as Outstanding Partner for the Report on Regional Economic Developments.

“Likewise, it is an acknowledgement of our partners in advocacy support like the banks which enable an efficient transfer of remittances and other institutional partners, both private and public, that assist in our financial learning programs, financial inclusion and currency programs for helping us fulfill our mandate of promoting a strong and broad-based financial system,” Antonio said.

Other winners in the ceremony included Producers Savings Bank Corporation of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija for Outstanding Business Expectation Survey Respondent among medium and large firms; and Subic-based marine equipment manufacturer Polarmarine, Inc. for the small firm category.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Aurora took home the Outstanding Partner for Report on Regional Economic Development of the Philippines Award. According to Cabahug, currency programs and demonetization are part of informing consumers and the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which is why they have been inviting BSP-San Fernando senior research specialist Maria Lourdes Laconsay in various DTI campaigns.

These included entrepreneurship seminars with Aetas, cancer survivors, students, Overseas Filipino Worker beneficiaries and businessmen, as well as in radio interviews. For her part, DTI-Bataan information officer Teresita Magtanong said this win translates to a big help to Bataan consumers and SMEs which are assured of excellent service.

“In our everyday life, we hold money. We always use it so we should know its value. This a challenge for us to continue informing the public about the importance of fiscal management in business and in life as a whole,” said Magtanong.