Knots and Woods Partners with the Cagayan de Oro City Government

As a social enterprise, the shoes that the company produces are manufactured by a community of unemployed mothers in Barangay Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City. This social enterprise is done in partnership with the City Government of Cagayan de Oro City Government’s City through the City Social Welfare Department (CSWD). The said government unit is responsible for the skills training which they conduct in the community to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve the product that the group envisions. The said government unit also facilitates the implementation of the holistic formation programs that the group engages the community into.

As a social enterprise, Knots and Woods fulfills its mission to its chosen community by partnering with CSWD through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The said program is a program of the national government that aims to give cash assistance to the poorest of the poor community and employment facilitation to unemployed individuals. To meet short term needs, beneficiaries are given a graduated cash subsidy. To meet long term needs, beneficiaries are expected to find livelihood opportunities that will sustain their needs. Knots and Woods, as a company, is actively participating in the employment facilitation component of the 4Ps program. As such, it provides just compensation to its workers in Barangay Puerto in order to help the community sustain their everyday needs, and become more productive as citizens of the country.

Knots and Woods seeks to uplift the lives of the community that it works with. More than the livelihood assistance that it provides, the company also conducts values formation and financial literacy programs that develop the general welfare of the community. Knots and Woods also provides skills enhancement training that nurtures the capacities of its chosen community. Through the development of the overall morale of the community, Knots and Woods believes that such programs are essential in aiding the community to actualize their fullest potential.

Last March 2014, the Memorandum of Understanding between Knots and Woods and the Cagayan de Oro City Government was signed. Knots and Woods was represented by its General Manager, Princess Kimberly V. Ubay - ubay, and the City Government was represented by Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno himself.

Martine collection of Knots and Woods

Knots and Woods business managers

MOU signed by Knots and Woods General Manager, Princess Ubay - ubay

MOU signed by CDO City Mayor, Oscar Moreno

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Mission:

Knots & Woods is a social enterprise that exists to provide livelihood assistance to the marginalized communities in Cagayan de Oro City and it seeks to promote the welfare of the community it serves. As a company, Knots & Woods produces shoes with Abaca as the raw material.

Vision:

Knots & Woods envisions to become a leading social enterprise in the shoe industry. As a social enterprise, it aspires to take the greater challenge of nation-building by empowering communities and enriching lives through the nature of its business.

Core values:

Our core values are deeply rooted in every aspect of our business. These values build the force that drives the company to do more in its commitments to customers and the society at large. These values shape the behavior of the organization and enable us to provide effective services to our customers. These values are essential to the achievement of our vision to take the greater challenge of nation-building.

Integrity in Work Ethics

Integrity is being able to choose the right things and do the right actions in all circumstances. K&W values integrity in all its endeavors, to realize its endearing promise to offer the best services to its customers. Integrity is encompassing to all the operations of the business, starting in the way the employees are formed to behave in the organization.

Respect for Individuals

Respect is being able to value the self-worth of individuals. K&W values respect for individuals in the manner and approach it treats its employees, customers, and its neighboring communities. K&W believes that good employee and customer relations emanate from respect.

Empowerment of Grassroots Leadership

Leadership is influencing a group of people to achieve organizational goals. K&W believes that effective leadership is being able to influence the grassroots – the individual persons of society to become leaders as well in their respective communities. The vision of K&W is a collaborative goal among different people, both within and outside the company and in order to realize the vision, everyone involved should be empowered to become a leader.

Commitment to Nation-building

Nation-building through entrepreneurship is being able to contribute to national development through engaging in business. Social responsibility is an integral aspect in the existence of the business. K&W believes that the company plays a vital role to national progress, in its commitment to enrich the lives of the community it serves and empowers.