by Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA) –- To provide information to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on the program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), an orientation on the upgrading program of technology was conducted by the DOST9 on Friday at Bay View Plaza Hotel here.
DOST9 asst. regional director Engr. Mahmud Kingking said the proram was designed by the agency to improve SMEs’ operational productivity and making science and technology as their ways of developing their their business.
Kingking said the agency is providing them technical support and funding assistance saying that they are some of their prospective beneficiaries on the agency’s programs.
“We are providing them funding assistance for the acquisition of processing facilities and technical consultancy to include the training or the workers as well as improving their facilities,” Kingking added.
He said they will teach SMEs on how to manage business and help them operate on their technologies by tapping the services of experts from the Research Development Institute of the agency.
Kingking said DOST has two programs, namely: the local grants-in-aid for the cooperatives, associations, and local government units and assistance for SMEs.
The SMEs’ assistance has no interest but payable within in 3 years so that the money that they borrowed can also be used for others, Kingking explained.
Kingking said DOST has provided already assistance to different SMEs in region 9 where their business have improved. “In their business they earned profit and at the same time, they have provided employment to unemployed persons,” Kingking added.
The SMEs who have not availed assistance can avail next year, Kingking assured.
The said activity is scheduled to be held next week the cities of Dipolog and Zamboanga and in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)
