Neighbors’ coops supply products, services for MNCs

MANILA, Philippines – It never occurred to this urban poor women’s cooperative, or this guild of construction workers, that they would win orders from big companies.

Now, these community-based groups are working on contracts like corporate giveaways for a cosmetics giant, and building a classroom for a multinational bank. Before, their customers were limited to neighbors and their referrals.

The Women for Progress of Nagpayong Multipurpose Cooperative recently supplied 100 beauty kits for L’Oreal Philippines’ centenary event. The group from Pasig City made the kits out of water lilies, which are abundant, even in excess, in the Pasig river.

The women’s group is also making all-purpose bags for The Bookmark, Inc., and sewing uniforms for another company.

On the other hand, Wyeth and Citi have entrusted their school building projects in Canlubang, Laguna and Bacoor, Cavite respectively, to the Nabigla Construction and Manpower Development Cooperative (NACMADECO).

The first of its kind in Quezon City, NACMADECO is a group of neighbors that make a living out of construction.

These groups got access to the projects through the Community Enterprise Assistance Project (CEAP) of Citi, implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). 

Funded by Citi through the United Way International, CEAP helps provide additional working capital and training for community-based cooperatives.

Companies are encouraged to consider these small enterprises in outsourcing their needs like corporate giveaways or construction. Citi, Wyeth, The Bookmark and L’Oreal, as members of PBSP, also consider the outsourcing as one of their efforts in corporate social responsibility.

The cooperatives are being trained continuously to be more competitive and equipped in taking on bigger orders. The Women for Progress has recently learned new product designs and construction techniques. CEAP also assists NACMADECO in improving its organizational and project administration systems. –Philippine Star