By Alma L. Tingcang
PAGADIAN CITY - The Department of Science
and Technology –Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP), one
of the government’s poverty alleviation programs through technology transfer
and commercialization is making great waves in the lives of successful
entrepreneurs, improving their lives and helping the community.
A flagship program of
DOST towards a better Philippines, SETUP
was launched in 2011 as a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technology innovations thereby
improve their operations and expand the reach of their businesses.
In a recent visit of
Dr. Carol M. Yorobe, Undersecretary for Regional Operations, she said DOST
Secretary Montejo believes that local technology works using the creative mind
of the Filipinos. He also endeavored to increase the budget of SETUP for
countryside development.
“When Sec. Montejo was
chosen by President Benigno C. Aquino III to assume the post as DOST secretary,
SETUP budget was only P70 million. Now it has ballooned to 500 Million for 2013
and he proposed a budget of P900 million for 2014,” Dr. Yorobe opined.
Meanwhile, Asst.
Regional Director Mahmud L. Kingking said anybody in business or still
contemplating a business can go to DOST for assistance, saying that DOST thinks
beyond SMEs by also helping those on the poverty threshold.
“DOST provides
technology needs assessment. If you don’t need technology, we will refer you to
other government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and other agencies that will assist you with
financing,” ARD Kingking explained.
Among the DOST SETUP
beneficiaries in Zamboanga Peninsula region are: Woodtech Builders (Kiln Dryer
Facility) in Pagadian City; Deli Food Line in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; IRA
Agriculture Products of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; ADS Bamboo Craft -
Dipolog City; Bongbong Mechanical Shop – Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay and Montano
Food Corporation in Dipolog City, among others.
DOST-SETUP continues
to extend assistance to SMEs through technology innovations, training,
preparing project proposals and the like, looking at the best possible way of
improving the lives of Filipino entrepreneurs, enabling them to reach gross
sales twice as their cost of input which signifies positive standing in the
market and good demand by prospective clients. (PIA9)