PANDI, Bulacan — The Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BBMPC) also known for its branding, “Disenyo Pandi”, was recently awarded as the Best Shared Service Facilities (SSF) in Central Luzon during the recently concluded Regional Shared Service Facilities Stakeholder’s Summit recently at The Orchid Gardens, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
According to Mary Grace Sta. Ana-Reyes, Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) Bulacan information officer, as early as 2014, DTI Bulacan already initiated and introduced innovation and digitalization through the establishment of BBMPC’s SSF on Computerized Embroidery that complemented the One Town One Product project of BBMPC in Bagong Barrio, Pandi, Bulacan.
“That was the first computerized embroidery machine of the cooperative. Before the SSF, the members had to travel to Metro Manila and other provinces, and wait for long queues, just to avail of embroidery services causing delay in the process and limited orders resulting in opportunity losses,” Reyes said.
The SSF was launched with the objectives to improve the productivity and quality of embroidered Specialized Garments, to ensure consistency of embroidery designs, and to address the demand for volume orders of the members. Eventually, BBMPC was able to procure additional computerized embroidery machines (1 unit 16-heads and 4 units 12-heads), housed in a new building, and are operating two shifts per day to meet the increasing market demands. This innovation indeed, opened big opportunities for BBMPC.
On January 31, 2018, BBMPC inaugurated and formally opened the Disenyo Pandi Wedding Depot as another milestone for the Cooperative. This depot caters to more than fifty tenants that offers the widest variety of gowns, barongs, and specialized garments, creating employment and income opportunities for the community. It also stirred up the tourism in Barangay Bagong Barrio, Pandi due to the incoming buyers from different areas, as a better option instead of going to Metro Manila.
However, due to the pandemic that started in March 2020, BBMPC’s Wedding Depot was adversely affected due to the health restrictions that prevents them from opening the stalls to buyers. Thus, the members felt the need for another innovation and tried to engage in digital marketing to survive and boost their marketing strategies. Through the assistance of DTI Bulacan, several BBMPC members were on-boarded in online selling platforms including Lazada, Shopee, and Marketplace, among others. Various market opportunities were gained and the Disenyo Pandi Wedding Depot was highlighted as an ideal source of quality and affordable Gowns and Barongs for special occasions and events.
A new locally-based online selling platform was introduced to BBMPC on February 20, 2023. An Orientation on SOMAGO Online Shopping was conducted at the Pavilion of Disenyo Pandi Wedding Depot, with 24 BBMPC members and tenants. Immediately after the event, six (6) were initially on-boarded, and more are still expected to engage.
Indeed, BBMPC members are adopting significant changes to revolutionize the traditional business of buying, manufacturing, and selling goods. Through innovation and digitalization, unlimited opportunities were made available for MSMEs to explore new markets. With highly-skilled and competent human resources, an efficient management team, and the right technology, BBMPC will surely gain success in expanding and reaching the world through e-commerce. (Unlinews Online)
