DOST gives financial assistance to LCPFI

By Jennifer C. Tilos

Wednesday 9th of May 2012

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 9 (PIA) -- The Little Children of the Philippines Foundations, Inc. (LCPFI) received a check worth P136,000 recently as financial assistance from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

DOST-Negros Oriental Prov’l Science & Technology Director Gilbert Arbon turned-over the check to LCPFI Administrative Director Carmenia Benosa.

According to DOST Information Officer Roslyn Tambago, the Foundation is one of the growing numbers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Negros Oriental which have availed of the DOST-SETUP, a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist SMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve operations.

SETUP provides a package of technological assistance, which includes the infusion of new or advanced technologies, provision of limited funds for technology acquisition, human resource training, technical assistance, consultancy services, among others, said Tambago.

As a Christian organization with the mission to develop caring communities for children at risk, LCPFI has ventured into processed meat production as a micro-enterprise activity for children and parents who are living in a low-income community.

The institution will use the monetary assistance to purchase meat processing equipment such as heavy duty meat grinder, meat sausage stuffing machine, chest freezer, and hand dryer.

This technological intervention is expected to raise the enterprise’s productivity and the beneficiaries’ income.

Established in 1989, LCPFI has about 4,000 member-beneficiaries in 14 communities within Dumaguete City and surrounding municipalities.

Tambago said in exchange for scholarships and social welfare assistance from LCP, members render 10 hours of community service weekly. Others work at the LCPFI’s meat processing project to avail of income generating opportunities.

Other interested SMEs may avail of DOST SETUP by inquiring at the DOST Neg.Or. Provincial S & T Center located in Daro, Dumaguete City. (mbcn/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)