Eng. Salvador Albia started with what he knew. Being a mechanical engineer, he established his very own backyard enterprise in 1975, the Tropics Agro-Industries. His business initially engaged in the manufacture of tractors and threshers.

 

After a number of years, he created a brand that is now familiar to the Filipino public – the KOLBI trade mark. KOLBI started as Albia’s invention of his very own version of Philippine-made rice mills, after he realized that there is a growing need and potential in the post-harvest industry.

 

Albia then expanded his business to other agricultural machineries, such as grain dryers and corn processing equipment. The continuous expansion of Tropics Agro-Industries has shown Albia’s capacity to innovate as well as his capability to take risks. As an entrepreneur, he saw the strengths of the agricultural machineries industry – the strong market, the availability of skilled manpower, and the availability of technology and basic production facilities.  Even with his accomplishments, he has faced the challenges: the high and oftentimes foreign exchange-dependent cost of the raw material, as well as limited working capital for production.

 

Albia worked through these challenges by seeking for financial assistance. Under the National SME Agenda, DTI endorsed Tropics Agro-Industries to the SB Corporation. The SB Corporation released 1.5 million pesos, with a loan term of three years. The firm used the amount to purchase raw materials and equipment. The company has then expanded into the manufacture of other products that included the newly-developed re-circulating grain dryers as well as post harvest machineries for pili processing.

As the years have passed, Tropics Agro-Industries is now making millions of worth of assets as a result of a successful venture. Its assets have even reached P 7 Million. From simple tools, KOLBI now boasts a factory armed with a complete array of tools and equipment that in effect produce quality machineries, undeniably providing benefit to the entire province as well as the Bicol Region.

 

An engineer’s success

 

Another engineer, Florenio Regala used to work as a busboy and helper in their family karinderia. During his free days, he sold sinapot around town and worked as a shoe-shine boy. He helped his family and made his own money. Growing up, Regala displayed the traits of an entrepreneur in the making.

 

With very much accomplished academic years, he started a new life in America with his own family. He found a job as an electronic assembler and worked his way up. After several years of hard work and perseverance, he eventually became part-owner of a company he worked for.

 

After working for many years for others, he decided to work for himself. He used his house as a company operation facility. His living room became his business office; the garage became his laboratory for research, design and development; and the backyard became his outdoor testing laboratory. During this time, he developed inventions that received patents from the United States Patent Office.

 

In 1999, while visiting his home town of Nabua, he noticed the absence of first class facilities for conventions and lodging that will cater to all. The lack of clean facility, toilets, and parking areas were factors that influenced him to establish the Macagang Business Center in 1999.

 

At present, the Macagang Business Center is a first class tourist accommodation facility, complete with all suite rooms, gym, wellness center, three swimming pools, lazy river, hot and cold Jacuzzis, 9-hole mini-golf course, basketball court, twin-tennis court, skating park and a 20-ft wall climbing facility. Florenio has successfully created synergistic and related jobs and services to the local community, as well as adjacent towns and cities.

 

* * * * * * *

Engineers Salvador Albia and Florenio Regala was recognized as two of the Most Inspiring Bicolano Entrepreneurs on January 30, 2009 at the Go Negosyo sa Bicol Express Caravan, the very first for the year of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III, at the Camarines Sur Convention Center.

 

Go Negosyo sa Bicol Express was presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with Camarines Sur Governor Lray Villafuerte, and the support of the Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Development Council led by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila. The event will be graced by Senator Manny Villar and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet Oversight Committee for MSME Development and recently inducted Press Secretary. Member agencies will also be present to reach out to the participants. Go Negosyo mentors and entrepreneurs will also be joining our forums to share their stories and business advice. Governors and local leaders from all the provinces in Bicol will be there as well.

 

Go Negosyo sa Bicol Express was also made possible with major partners: Camarines Sur Provincial Government, PLDT SME Nation, Smart Communications, Globe Business Solutions, RFM Corporation, National Bookstore, PAGCOR, The Philippine Star, San Miguel Corporation, Condura and Insular Life.

 

Go Negosyo also thanks event partners: V-cargo, Kettle Korn, and Select Media ; media partners: QTV 11, GMA 7, NBN 4, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ASPAC-LAW, Fullcircle Communications; government partners: Department of Trade and Industry - Batangas, Department of Science and Technology and Regional Operations Undersecretary Merle Cruz with Bicol Regional Director Joy Blanco, SBCorp Chairman Vir Angelo and President Benel Lagua, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Interior and Local Government, The President’s Social Fund.