DOST-10 Director Romela Ratilla discusses key programs driving economic growth in Northern Mindanao during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on March 25, 2025. The programs focus on empowering local communities through science, technology, and innovation to boost livelihoods and support micro, small, and medium enterprises in the region. (Photo: DCC/PIA-10)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The government, through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, is implementing various programs aimed at promoting economic growth and supporting communities in Northern Mindanao through science, technology, and innovation.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on March 25, DOST-10 director Romela Ratilla reported that the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) has allocated P39.8 million to fund 43 projects of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in 2024, creating 500 jobs.
“There are 136 ongoing sets of projects monitored and 59 percent of them reported a total gross income of P817.7 million,” Ratilla said.
Ratilla also shared that the Grassroots Innovation for National Development (GRIND) program, has assisted Indigenous Peoples (IP) women in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte by integrating science and technology into their livelihood projects.
The program provided equipment and training on synthetic dyeing to the Damugu and Lampakanay Weavers Associations in partnership with the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute. According to Ratilla, this led to a 14 percent increase in the weavers’ income.
Under the Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology Program (CEST), DOST-10 funded 20 projects worth P19.2 million, benefiting 4,184 individuals, including 553 IP community members, 1,500 farmers, 37 children in conflict with the law (CICLs), and 15 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
The Mobile Modular Food Processing Facility (MMFPF) was also deployed to Misamis Oriental to provide additional income to farmers through the value-adding of crops. Launched last year, the facility provides hands-on training and food innovation to develop new products. “The PAGRO (Provincial Agriculture Office), the Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center, and the DOST-10 are now working on kamote (sweet potato) and squash chips. production,” Ratilla said.
DOST-10 also partnered with local governments in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, and Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, to establish salt production facilities using DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) salt evaporation technology, providing a sustainable method of salt production.
“As reported, the Philippines is importing 93 percent of its salt. As we know, salt is used not just for cooking, but also in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and some chemical industries. So, the DOST-10 brought our partners from Alubijid and Plaridel to Region 1 to benchmark its salt production. Now, we have implemented ASIN projects in these two municipalities with the DOST-ITDI technology,” Ratilla added.
Meanwhile, DOST’s Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories generated P8.4 million in revenue, serving 3,643 customers and 1,342 firms. Ratilla said they conducted 9,474 tests and calibration services, supporting product development and quality assurance for MSMEs in Northern Mindanao. (APB/PIA-10)
