Knots and Woods: 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.