DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) -- A bake shop owner in this city is thankful to the government for helping his business grow over the years. 

Alan Jan P. Giganan, who owns Chantilly Cake House in Dumaguete City, was a recipient of the consultancy assistance and technologies provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under its  Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). 

Chantilly Cake House is one of the oldest specialty cake and pastries shops in Dumaguete City. 

In 2022, Giganan received a P1.3 million from DOST to fund the upgrade of hisproduction processes that resulted in an increased capacity and market share in Dumaguete City. 

“The SETUP program of DOST is remarkably helpful,” said Giganan. 

He added that SETUP has helped scale up his business as he was able to switch from manual production to a semi-mechanized process. 

Giganan’s business is one of the six micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province that benefited from the SETUP program.

Aside from Chantilly Cake House, the five other businesses that availed of the financial grant are: Angel Buns Bakeshoppe and Grocery, Habi Bee Handy Craft, MGI Restoration Garage and Car Wash;  Potato Systems Research & Training Center Inc, and  San Julio Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative, which is set to receive their SETUP assistance this year. 

DOST has released over P8 million to the six MSMEs.

The financial support aims to upgrade the MSMEs’ technology so they remain competitive in the market.

Joel O. Legaspi of DOST said the beneficiaries also availed of the manufacturing productivity extension program (MPEX) consultancy to increase their productivity especially those serving export markets or have the potential for export.

Legaspi said SETUP assists MSMEs across various priority sectors to boost productivity and product competitiveness. 

MPEX is one of DOST’s support services where industry experts assist the MSMEs in the manufacturing sector. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)