ILOILO CITY (PIA) — From a P7,000 startup to an award-winning enterprise, McNester Food Products’ success story highlights the transformative power of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in Western Visayas.
McNester, a Guimaras-based producer of calamansi and mango-based products, was named DOST’s Most Agile MSME after leveraging SETUP to significantly increase production and technical capabilities.
Rebecca C. Tubongbanua, McNester’s owner, told the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas program of the Philippine Information Agency how SETUP revolutionized her business.
“DOST SETUP is a big help,” she said.
“Our mango catsup production increased from 27 bottles per batch to 400, and our calamansi production from 20 mixtures per day to 50-100.”
The improved equipment enabled McNester to produce higher-quality products and fueled innovation.
In 21 years, the company developed 13 products from calamansi, mango, and other fruits and vegetables.
“We became confident in producing more,” Tubongbanua said.
“Our production volume increased to meet customer demand both locally and internationally. Annual sales rose from 778,720 pesos to 3,353,000 pesos.”
SETUP also facilitated McNester’s acquisition of a Reverse Osmosis Unit Purifier, ensuring food safety compliance and further improving product quality.
DOST reported that SETUP provided 1,541 science and technology interventions to 2,754 MSMEs, local government units, and national government agencies in Western Visayas. The program generated 622 jobs, with 75 percent of beneficiary MSMEs being women-led or owned. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6)
