The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region III, in recognition of the important role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in spurring economic growth in the countryside, awarded the best SETUP adoptors for the region.
SETUP is an acronym for the innovative program of the DOST called Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading program. Started in 2009, SETUP assists MSMEs in improving their operations to increase productivity, improve product quality, and ensure sustainability.
“Part of the DOST’s 11-point agenda is to assist small entrepreneurs so they can develop more high quality and innovative products that can be competitive in the international market,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña.
Today, DOST continues to push the SETUP program to more MSMEs in the regions and DOST Region III has achieved several milestones after 15 years in Central Luzon with 2,366 firms assisted; 2,359 projects; 12,460 interventions; and P 1.4 billion in total project cost.
One of the SETUP adoptors in the region is Dialyn’s Bakeshop in Barangay Sabang, Baler. The bakeshop availed of DOST assistance in 2013, which helped improve its bakery operation, eventually earning the distinction of being awarded as the best SETUP Adoptor in the province of Aurora.
Novelita Upholstery and Furniture Center 2005, which received assistance from DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute in making quality furniture through better finishing technologies, was adjudged the best SETUP Adoptor in Bataan. According to owner Jay Miranda, the company also availed of the MPEX program of SETUP that improved their financial management and productivity.
TexiconAgri Venture Corp. was declared the best SETUP Adoptor for Bulacan. According to its owner, RusselDaet, the DOST assistance enabled them to produce double the volume of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and other similar agricultural products with new machineries because of full automation in their operation. “Because of the DOST assistance, we automated our operation and besides improving our production capacity, we were able to lessen exposure of our employees to chemical hazards,” said Daet.
MSC Food Products owned by Leticia Basubas was awarded best SETUP Adoptor for Nueva Ecija. DOST Region III was able to help the company increase production with acquisition of modern machineries to produce ampalaya tea, turmeric tea, lagundi tea, bignay tea, guyabano tea, tawa-tawa, and many more natural products.
John N’ Mico’s Food Products of Barangay San Miguel, Mexico, Pampanga, owned by Myra Bustillo, prides itself of being the first chicharon maker in Central Luzon to be accredited AA MPP by the National Meat Inspection Service. This earned them the award for best SETUP Adoptor in Pampanga. “We are very thankful to the DOST because with their help we were able to improve our production and packaging,” said Bustillo.
BCV Farm of Barangay Guisguis in Sta. Cruz, Zambales got the top plum as best SETUP Adoptor in the province. Owner Benigno Valles said that the DOST assistance enabled him to fully integrate his farm operation of swine and poultry, which included waste management technologies, to produce biogas as source of clean energy.
Lastly, the most coveted price of being recognized as the best SETUP Adoptor in the region went to Betis Crafts Incorporated based in Barangay Alfonso, Concepcion, Tarlac. According to its owner, Myrna C. Bituin, DOST and FPRDI helped the company to upgrade its production with new machineries and training of its employees that made their furniture pieces world class.(S&T Media Service)
