The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera continues with its initiatives to pursue new partnerships with 14 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and stakeholders in Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga through the signing of memoranda of agreement under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup) in separate events last week.
In Kalinga, the PSTC-Kalinga, headed by OIC PSTD Kalinga Dexy M. Catacutan signed MOAs with five Setup-assisted firms: Skidmarks Tires and Auto Supply, Kalinga Mountain Food Products, Parway’s, Handicrafts Manufacturing, and EJ Food Products on Feb. 1.
S&T interventions through the MOAs with the respective adoptors are provision of production equipment and technology trainings.
The PSTC-Kalinga also organized a training on fruit wine processing in Lubuagan on Jan. 22 which was participated in by 18 members of the beneficiary group Kalasag Farmers and Irrigators Association (KFIA).
Other interventions for the community-based project are provision of wine processing tools and packaging materials, product label design, and product laboratory analyses.
In Abra, the MOA for the Setup signed with PSTD-Abra Ralf B. Sapi-il on Feb. 1 will provide Pablo’s Bakeshop in Licuan-Baay with production equipment and relevant capacity-building trainings to help increase their productivity and competitiveness.
In Ifugao, PSTD-Ifugao through Genna B. Jallorina signed a MOA with Setup adoptor Tonton’s Iron Works and Welding in Lamut, Ifugao on Feb. 1 for provision of equipment and related trainings for the member-beneficiary group to help make their operations and production more efficient.
In a MOA signing on Feb. 3 in Baguio City, five MSME-beneficiaries under Setup in Benguet and five MSMEs in Baguio City will be started.
DOST Regional Director Nancy A. Bantog thanked the MSMEs for availing the services of DOST-CAR in building up their businesses, inspiring the new DOST-CAR cooperators by highlighting the role of MSMEs in nation building, especially in areas of inclusive and sustainable economy.
Provincial S&T Center-Benguet Director Sheila Marie Claver and DOST Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations Angel L. Maguen also expressed their support and encouragement to the MSMEs to avail of the DOST services under the Setup, which has a total approved funding of P5.13 million.
Elmer Macalingay, owner of Health 100 Restoreant and multiple Best Setup Adoptor awardee, related his journey as a starting entrepreneur to the S&T interventions that helped pave the way in improving their company’s operations and production.
To help them boost the firms’ competitiveness and stand out in the market, DOST-Cordillera Science Research Analyst Ramiel L. Lagaban presented the packaging, labelling, and design services of the DOST-Cordillera’s Packaging Innovation Center.
The MSME-beneficiaries, represented by Tom Christian Lomas-e, president of Emma’s Special Food Manufacturing-One Person Corporation, thanked DOST for giving them S&T opportunities for their business to grow.
Setup cooperators in Baguio City and Benguet for 2022 are N.P. Milo Machine Shop, Tereeque Food Products, Agreach Products Corp., Uptown Iron Works, Gaewen Vegetable Farm, Denden’s Furniture and Handicraft, Emma’s Special Food Manufacturing, and Veckamps Printing Press. – Press release
May 14, 2024
