DTI Samar cites Charito’s Delights, Mom’s grocery as Outstanding MSMEs

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
December 17, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI–Samar) awarded Charito’s Delights, makers of traditional Samar delicacies and Mom’s Grocery as Outstanding (Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)s in Samar.

Charito’s Delights also garnered the regional nomination to the national awards as an outstanding MSME. Their certificate was signed by DTI Secretary Peter Favila.

The awarding rites coincided with the First MSME Congress held on Friday, at the Cocina de Cabral, Catbalogan City, attended by the whole DTI family with OIC Regional Director Desiderio Belas and former Regional Director now the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras.

In an interview, Emma Bermejo, owner of Charito’s said that the business was started by her mom Charito in 1989. The store offers sweets like hopia de pili, curioso (cookies), ube candies, salvarro and other eatables ideal for “pasalubong” and presents for balikbayans.

Bermejo claims that DTI has helped her in the marketing especially during Trade Fairs both in Cebu and Manila. In the latest Bahandi Trade Fair, it was Charito’s which was the top grosser among Samar's exhibitors.

She added with pride that when Robinson’s opens in Tacloban City, Charito’s Delights will be given a stall.

Meanwhile, Mom’s Grocery owner Mrs. Minda Bolastig was happy that her grocery was given recognition. She said she does not think of any award when she offers her services but admits she is a hands-on manager and checks her store from time to time.

She said she also complies with all legal registrations and obligations to the city and national government. She also makes sure that customers are always satisfied with their purchases and accepts ‘returned’ goods with no questions asked.

Both Charito’s and Mom’s employ some young people from Catbalogan and environs.