DOST grants P8.8 M for

MSME's set-up upgrade 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, November 17 (PIA)—The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) hands in a total of P8,851,320.00 infusion funds to jumpstart and introduce innovations into the manufacturing processes of Bohol’s micro, small and medium enterprises. 

During the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) held at the Island City Mall, no less than science and technology secretary Fortunato dela Peña and DOST Regional Director Edilberto Paradela who handed the government grants aimed at upgrading current production technologies adopted by local product manufacturers or Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP). 

A flagship program of the DOST envisioned as a primary means to reach out to Filipino entrepreneurs to support and sustain the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

The same aims to directly address the needs of local businesses to avail of the appropriate technologies. 

A nationwide strategy to encourage and assist SMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness, SETUP provides micro small and medium enterprises with equipment and technical assistance to enable them to increase sales and production, streamline and improve overall company operations, upgrade the quality of products and services, conform to national and international standards of excellence, and be competitive in their respective fields. 

SETUP supports MSMEs by providing funds for technology acquisition, needed equipment and equipment upgrading, technical trainings and consultancy services, packaging and label design, database information systems, and support for establishment of product standards, including testing, and calibration of equipment. 

For this, the government, through the DOST granted MSMES in Bohol a total of P5,876,180.00. 

On the other hand, by empowering communities through the use of science and technology, the government’s science and technology authority had a total of P2,975,140.00 in support of local government climate change mitigation and livelihood projects that use science and technology. 

Process technology upgrading through science and technology grantees are Turk’z Ice Cream of Poblacion Norte, Batuan, Bohol in the amount of P2,590,000.00. 

On the other hand, Lu Lumber Dealer and Furniture Shop of La Union in Candijay, sought for the upgrading of its wood and metal processing technologies for the production of mixed media furniture items and got an approved ₱ 1,152,000.00 in capital infusion. 

Samorano’s Furniture Shop of Quinoguitan, Loboc, Bohol pitches on wood processing technology upgrading in its production of furniture items, and got P168,000.00 grant. 

Another upgrading of wood processing technologies for the furniture items production of Baclayon Lumber Supply in Taguihon, Baclayon, gets P247,000.00. 

For upgrading the metal sheet shearing technology, SL-DU Metal Works Supply and Services in Tagbilaran City gets infused with P230,000.00. 

In the field of food processing, Liezl Delicacy of Taloto proposed for the upgrading of its processing technologies and got funded with P196,180.00. 

Also, a bake house proposed for an upgrade in the processing technologies in the Breads and Cakes production and gained the government nod and Kiddies Bakehaus in Poblacion, Ubay, Bohol earned a ₱ 345,000.00 capital for that. 

In the emerging industry in coffee production, Buenaventurada Farm in Nueva Vida Carmen seeks to upgrade its processing technologies especially in the production of roasted coffee beans and they get a grant of P948,000.00. 

In the central part of Bohol, a local government proposed to the DOST for a resilient community through science and technology interventions and pushed for Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) Project, this one would be focusing on the development of root crop-based livelihood. For this, LGU-Danao through Mayor Natividad Gonzaga got P607,780.00 from the DOST. 

Seeing a good alternative livelihood to its communities, LGU San Miguel asked the DOST for green light to its science and technology support in the establishment of Bohol Cacao Science and Technology hub for its women empowerment and the government agreed to fund them P615,000.00. 

Still in community empowerment through the development and upgrading of technology-based livelihood and improving its governance capability, the municipality of Jagna received P695,000.00, in Project Implementation by Developing Automated Project Tracking System. Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla received the fund from the DOST officials. 

In Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, a proposal for developing an inclusive, sustainable and climate resilient community through science and technology interventions or a DOST template for Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) also got an approved P510,000.00 budget, handed over to Mayor Leonila Pinat. 

Meanwhile, a project proposal on science and technology interventions to empower women in the countryside through the establishment of manufacturing village on natural fibers – Phase II for a non government organization called PROCESS Bohol Inc., earned for it P549,100.00. 

And finally, Bohol Island State College got an approved P547,360.00 from the DOST for the establishment of Bohol Cacao Industry Information System (BCIIS), a component of the Bohol Integrated Cacao Research and Enterprise Development (ICaRED) Center. 

The handing out of the DOST Bohol Project funds coincided with the 2018 RSTW spearheaded by the DOST, which also brought to Bohol the agency’s science and technology innovations exhibit which opened after the opening program. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)