CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Since the start of the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrade Program (SETUP), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, it has already supported a total of 461 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region, pouring in a little more than half a billion pesos to these MSMEs.
In an episode of Talakayan sa PIA, DOST assistant regional director Virgilio M. Fuertes said there is a need to support these small businesses as they comprise 99.5 percent of local enterprises.
“We are supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises because, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), it is a fact that 99.5 percent of registered businesses in the country are MSMEs,” he said.
According to Fuertes, the most common problem for micro, small, and medium enterprises is capitalization, which could hamper the purchase of necessary equipment associated with the technological requirements of their business operations.
To improve the standard of food processing, manufacturing, and similar activities, DOST provided financial support for the acquisition of these technologies.
Fuertes said the most successful MSMEs that have expanded through the SETUP program are Bestfriend Goodies, Vjandep Pastel, and, of course, the Slers.
“I think the common denominator of a successful MSME is if they develop “customer-centric” or focus on customers,” added Fuertes.
True to the success it has gained, Bestfriend Goodies, a food manufacturer of pasalubong products like pastillas de leche in Cagayan de Oro City and recipient of the DOST SETUP program, has grown leaps and bounds through DOST’s support.
Nenita B. Tan, owner of Bestfriend Goodies and a DOST SETUP program recipient, stated that she would advise her fellow food processors to connect with DOST and seek assistance if there is a way to scale up.
“Adapting the SETUP program, makita man gyud nato ang growth sa (we will really see the growth of) Bestfriend Goodies, in a span of how many years, it was leaps and bounds. I can personally attest that we are growing not only in terms of capitalization but with gross sales year after year and the number of our workforce increasing year after year as well,” she said.
Furthermore, the company is growing, creating more jobs in the community. “So, as a whole, you are also helping the community and the economy,” Tan said.
DOST programs and services
Fuertes enumerated the five general programs and services of DOST. First is technology transfer and commercialization, where they provide laboratory testing and calibration services through the regional technological laboratory and testing laboratory, or Regional Testing Science Laboratory.
Second, they have technical consulting services and S&T promotion, information, and dissemination.
“We have the most important science and technology scholarships at DOST. Starting from high school, undergraduates to college, masters, and we also have PhDs. And of course, we have research and development from our Regional and Development Institutes of DOST and the sectoral councils in partnership with state universities and colleges and higher education institutions in their region and all over the country,” he said.
In support of the MSMEs is the SETUP. This is under Technology Transfer and Commercialization to increase economic development, job creation, and industry competitiveness. Meanwhile, for communities, DOST also has the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program to support programs on food security, water security, environmental protection, energy security, and human resource development.
DOST also has Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programs, which include climate and disaster resilience to ensure that minimal resources are shielded from calamities and, further, sustainability in smart and sustainable communities, facility upgrades, and digital transformation.
“So, this is under the four pillars of DOST, espoused by Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., human well-being, well-creation, well-protection, and sustainability,” Fuertes said. (JMOR/PIA-10)
