The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Surigao del Norte successfully conducted a SETUP Forum and Technology Pitching Activity for MSMEs in Claver, Surigao del Norte last March 29, 2023. The activity aims to increase awareness about the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and showcase the available DOST-funded technologies to encourage our local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Surigao del Norte to adopt these innovations.
A flagship program of DOST, SETUP provides MSMEs with the resources and support they need to adopt technological innovations and upgrade their production processes. Despite the numerous benefits that SETUP offers, many MSMEs in the province of Surigao del Norte are still unaware of the program and the technologies that are available for adoption and commercialization.
SETUP provides MSMEs with upgraded equipment and technical assistance to enable them to increase sales and production, streamline and improve overall business operations, upgrade the quality of products and services, conform to national and international standards of excellence, and be competitive in their respective fields. SETUP supports MSMEs by providing seed fund for technology acquisition, technical trainings and consultancy services, packaging and label design, database information systems, and support for establishment of product standards, including testing, and calibration of equipment. The program is open to any company or individual firm based in the Philippines and wholly owned by Filipino citizens; an individual firm willing to apply technological improvements to existing operations; and any micro, small and medium-scale business firm that can be classified under the identified priority sectors which include food processing, furniture, gifts, decors, & handicrafts, agriculture, marine, and aquaculture, metals and engineering, information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals and health products, halal products, and other regional priorities.
The forum was made possible in partnership with the Local Government of Claver. Present during the forum were Atty. Eric Carlo B. Elpa, Head of the Local Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office of Claver, DTI Negosyo Center Business Counsellor Ms. Nestle Ann Joy P. Najial, representatives from the mining industry, and participant MSMEs coming from the municipalities of Claver and Bacuag. DOST-SDN PD Mariel P. Makinano and the DOST-SDN SETUP Coordinators facilitated the event together with the resource persons from DOST-Caraga, SETUP Coordinator Jenifer T. Villaplaza and Project Staff of the Technology Transfer Unit Ms. Jasmine P. Manuel. Through this event, DOST-SDN hopes that more MSMEs will be motivated to adopt technological innovations and upgrade their production processes, leading to increased productivity, employment generation, value-adding, and profitability.
Interested to avail of SETUP? Come and visit us in our office at 2nd Floor PRISM Building, Rizal corner Peñaranda Streets, Surigao City. Follow Department of Science and Technology – Surigao del Norte here on Facebook and www.instagram.com/dost.sdn to know more about our programs, projects, and activities that will bring science closer to every Surigaonon!
(Source: Department of Science and Technology – Surigao del Norte Facebook page)