PRODUCTIVITY OLYMPICS 2009

Bigger cash prizes awaits the national winners of the 2009 Productivity Olympics as the  National Wages and Productivity Commission and  the Regional Boards  yesterday announced that nomination for the contest is now open for micro, small and medium enterprises.   Following a successful launch last year, the search for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) with the best productivity improvement program continues in 2009.  Interested MSMEs may inquire and apply at the nearest Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards..   The competition aims to intensify awareness on the importance of productivity and to showcase best practices throughout the country.  With this year's theme, "Enhancing Quality and Productivity towards Competitiveness,"  the nWPC expects to gather more nominees as the event now has nine  categories, giving separate awards for enterprises in agribusiness, services and industry for the micro, small and medium categories.   The contest got underway with the official launching in  February at the Heritage Hotel in Manila.  The regional nominees  will be selected in July and the national winners will be selected in September.   It will culminate in October with the awarding of the  national winners in time for the celebration of the National Quality and Productivity Month.  Cash prizes, trophies and priority endorsements to various DOLE training programs await the winners.   Last year, the NWPC awarded seven (7)  MSMEs were awarded for having the best productivity improvement programs.  Winners under "Best in People Development" criteria were Natomo Manufacturing (Region I), Add Research Prints and Chemicals Inc. (Region IV-A), Tropics Agro Industries (Region V), Cagayan Valley Sanitarium and Hospital (Region II).  Winners under  "Best in Business Excellence" criteria were Kuya Orly's Café and Restaurant (CAR), Velomer Poultry Breeder Farms (Region X) and SLERS Industries, Inc. (Region X).   For 2009, the NWPC and its Regional Boards will continue to take more aggressive efforts in promoting workforce and enterprise productivity, particularly of MSMEs.  Productivity improvement is a survival strategy to efficiently manage resources and organize production, especially in times of economic uncertainty and fluctuating market demand.  A number of companies take advantage of production lulls by pursuing various human resource development programs in preparation for economic recovery.