G/f, Sukob bldg., Kasaganaan St., Karangalan Vill., pasig City
Background:
Prior to 1994, SUKOB Inc., an NGO, set up a rattancraft enterprise project and employed and trained Persons With Disability (PWD’s) to be the workers in the rattancraft business. However, in 1994, SUKOB decided to close down its rattan craft operations, and paid the PWD workers separation pay. This left the PWD’s with no source of income. SUKOB recommended them to another NGO, Tahanang Walang Hagdan, however the latter was only willing to absorb the orthopedic PWD’s. This was not acceptable to the group, and none of them joined Tahanang Walang Hagdan. The group then decided to contribute as share their separation pays from SUKOB and continue the rattancraft business.
In the last quarter of 1994, Mr. Peter K. Hammerle, a consultant of the Christian Blind Mission (CBM), a German foundation, encouraged the group to be the pilot project for PWD’s to fabricate school desks. Mr. Hammerle had previously helped the group of PWD’s in Baguio set up a school desk manufacturing enterprise. The former SUKOB PWDs agreed and some of them were trained in Baguio. Mr. Hammerle also convinced the group to organize themselves as a cooperative instead of an association so that they have ownership of the business.
In April 1995, this group of PWDs registered themselves as Samahang Ikauunlad ng mga may Kapansanan Ating Palawakin (SIKAP) Multi-Purpose Cooperative with Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on 24 April 1995 with Registration Number K – 621 – 0926, and had 18 initial members. SIKAPMPC first order was through the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PRFD), then the local partner of CBM. Through the Countryside Development Fund (CDF) of the Senator Romulo, SIKAPMPC manufactured and delivered school desks to a public school. Mr. Hammerle also assisted SIKAPMPC in getting a trial order from the Department of Education (DepEd). The DepEd was satisfied with the school desks of SIKAPMPC, and suggested to the group to duplicate their operations in other parts of the country.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED
- Massage service by our Blind Masseurs
- School Chair and Office Furniture
- Other steel works
- Trucking service
- Micro lending to its members
ACHIEVEMENT
In 1997, SIKAP has been awarded as BEST LIVELIHOOD Project for Handicapped (RCBC) of Rizal banking Corporaton (RCBC) 8th SIKAP AWARDS.. and also in 1998, SIKAP was a second finalist for KABUHAYAN AWARDS given by Livelihood Corporation (LIVECOR). President Ramos handed the awards to the group at Malacanang Palace.
- Chairman : Mr. Julius Retorta
- Manager : Mr. Romualdo Barrientos