On November 21, 2017, in Manila, a GGGI delegation, led by Mr. Per Bertilsson – GGGI Assistant Director General, presented the report on “Case Study on Best Green Business Practices among MSMEs in the Food Processing Industry of the Philippines” to the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry represented by Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya of the Regional Operations Group.
The case study report, developed through GGGI and DTI cooperation, analyzed the financial and economic costs and benefits of implementing green practices based on the assessment of 12 Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the food processing sector, particularly cacao, coffee, banana and pili nuts. The study examined the application of green business practices at varying levels, namely: a.) Level 1: Change of Mindset, which involves improvements in behavioral and production processes without monetary investments; b.) Level 2: Affordable Purchase or use of minimal investments to enhance production processes, and c.) Level 3: Technological Solutions that involve substantial investments to modify the production processes or utilize more energy efficient equipment. The study indicates that across these levels of intervention, the introduction of green business practices to improve conventional operations yield benefits in terms of cost savings for the subject MSMEs.
According to Undersecretary Maglaya, “MSMEs, which account for 99.5% of all established businesses and 62.8% of the total workforce, play a vital role in the Philippine economy. Aside from contributing to inclusive growth, they hold significant potential in responding to the climate change challenges with continued support to develop awareness on green practices such as what this case study offers”
Equally important, greening practices also translate to social relevance as marginalized communities become involve in the various stages of the supply and production chain of these MSMEs. Hence, the study points out that going green is possible and can bring about monetary and non-monetary benefits. Further, it supports to the Global Development Agenda as this contributes to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.
“We certainly wish that the findings of best green practices among MSMEs in this business case study be expanded and replicated larger scale to cover other industrial clusters of the Philippines in the future and hope that the Philippines could gradually become leading exemplary country for the ASEAN region” said Mr. Bertilsson.
The GGGI delegation included Ms. Jin Young Kim, OIC-Head of Asia and the Pacific Program; and Mr. Suki Atwal, Incoming Country Representative while the DTI was also represented by Director Jerry Clavesillas, Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development; Director Lydia Guevarra, Resource-Generation and Management Service; and Director Virgilio Fulgencio, Planning and Management Service; and DTI-Regional Directors.
The case study aims to promote the adoption of green practices among MSMEs and supports the thrusts of GGGI and the directions of the DTI and the Philippine Government as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan (2017-2022).
To learn more, read the Business Case Summary Factsheet and the 2018 Calendar.
For more information contact:
Bulganmurun Tsevegjav, DTI-GGGI Cooperation Focal Point and Program Integration Lead
Email Address: Bulganmurun.ts@gggi.org