Winners of the 2021 Productivity Olympics were announced during the First Ever Virtual Awarding Ceremony conducted by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on 21 October 2021. The Northern Roots SG Group popularly known as “Session Groceries” representing the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was declared a National Winner in the Service Category for small enterprises.
DOLE-CAR Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra, RTWPB-CAR Chairperson said the Productivity Olympics is a nationwide competition organized by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and held every two years wherein the best productivity practices of micro, small and medium enterprise are showcased. This year’s Olympics is a special edition aimed at recognizing the establishments’ resilience and steadfastly overcome difficulties to reach their targets, sustain growth, and contribute to economic recovery; and preserved employment and kept their employees engaged and committed to organizational goals with the theme, “Bounce Back Better”.
For this year’s Productivity Olympics, five were chosen as finalists to represent the Cordilleras, from the 10 candidates pre-selected by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board – CAR, and they are Cosmic Farm, Gabay Wines and Fruit Preserves, Northern Roots SG Group (Session Groceries), Baguio Benguet Community Credit Cooperative and the Treasure Link Cooperative Society.” Lacambra added.
The four national finalists will receive an award amounting to P20,000.00, a plaque of recognition, the right to use the Productivity Olympics logo for three (3) years and priority endorsement to training programs and services of NWPC/RTWPBs and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The criteria for the 2021 Productivity Olympics are as follows: 50 percent for Business Continuity for its readiness to continue business amid disruption and effectiveness of business continuity plan/strategy; 30 percent for Employment Engagement which translates to workers’ health and safety, workplace collaboration and employee performance; and 20 percent for Employment Preservation and Expansion.
Atty. Marvie Fulgencio, RTWPB-CAR Board Secretary said, Northern Roots SG Group (Session Groceries), operates as a wholesaler and distributor of fresh farm produce which is located In Farmer’s Center, La Trinidad, Benguet. Session Groceries is an online platform that provides sustainable and economic opportunity for the farmers through agri-prenuer and innovation. The business buys directly from member-farmers.
As a national winner, Session Groceries will receive a P150,000.00 cash award, a plaque of recognition, the right to use the Productivity Olympics logo for three (3) years and priority endorsement to training programs and services of NWPC/RTWPBs and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The awarded Cordillera regional finalists were Cosmic Farm of Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet and the Palayen Farm of Bauko Mt. Province for Agri-business Micro; Gabay Wines and Fruit Preserves of Sagada, Mt. Province and Atok Coffee Growers and Marketing Cooperative of Caliking, Atok, Benguet for Industry Micro; Easter Weaving Room, Inc. of Baguio City for Industry Small. FreshBuysPh of Baguio City for Service micro while Northern Roots SG Group (Session Groceries) of La Trinidad, Benguet for Service Small.
Other Regional winners are Baguio Benguet Community Credit Cooperative of Baguio City for Service Small; Health 101 Restoreants of Baguio City for Service Medium and Treasure Link Cooperative Society of Sagada, Mountain Province for Service Medium.
This win of Northern Roots SG Group (Session Groceries) heralds the revitalization of productivity champions in the Cordilleras.
Meanwhile, RTWPB-CAR bested 15 other Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board nationwide sharing the honor with RTWPB National Capital Region (NCR). RTWPN-CAR was awarded as Best RTWPB for the most number of finalists and quality documentation. By Patrick Rillorta
