BUSINESS RESILIENCY MANAGEMENT AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR MICRO ENTREPRENEURS OF THE BICOL REGION

This is a program funded by the SEDP Mutual Benefit Association (SEDP MBA) in September 2021. It came as a response to calamities in 2020 that hit the Bicol Region in succession including the typhoons, volcanic eruptions, flash floods and weather disturbances. As if these were not enough, the pandemic in 2020 made the backdrop against which the micro-entrepreneurs operate even gloomier and almost hopeless.

Most, if not all, of the MEs assisted by SEDP operate their businesses in their homes which were the first to be affected by the calamities. With the closure of the enterprises, the MEs had to retool themselves with new skills either in operating a new business or in gaining new knowledge in managing their finances by having clear financial goals, managing their budget, savings, debt and small investment or business ventures.

Project Objectives:

• To develop awareness on business resiliency management for the reduction of disaster impacts on the lives and property of the entrepreneurs.
• To formulate business continuity plan that will guide them to mitigate the effect of calamities and for early resumption of business operations.
• To produce video production on business resiliency management and Generating New Business ideas to be used for orientations and training.
• To facilitate business scaling up through skills development on pricing and costing and identification of their product operations.

Target Participants

The target participants of this training were active SEDP members who have existing businesses or have potential to undertake micro-enterprises.

Impact of the Pandemic on the Project Strategy

The long-staying pandemic has resulted to changes in the content of the modules as well as delivery mechanism of the project. In addition to the financial literacy sessions, sessions on digital marketing were prioritized because of the need to develop the members' skills in navigating the digital platform. Also, because of the restrictions against holding big gatherings like training sessions and seminars, the project opted for YouTube and online webinars.

The key activities of the project were the following:

• Workshops and meetings on module development
• Production of the IEC materials
• Setting Up Youtube Channel
• Face to face sessions on Business Continuity Planning (BCP)
• Face to face sessions on Skills Upgrading
• Online sessions via Facebook, zoom and google Meet