DOST technology upgrading program helps small enterprises

Wednesday 9th of November 2011

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 09 (PIA) -- The technology upgrading program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has helped several small enterprises in the region boost their respective productions and improve their income.

Tadeco Livelihood and Training Center (TLTC) in Panabo City of Davao del Norte which engages in the production of expert quality handicrafts from indigenous materials such as abaca, banana and pineapple fiber is one among many small businesses being helped by DOST.

The training center has availed of almost P900,000 funding from DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) that improved the handmade paper production process and minimized production time in drying by 50 percent.

According to DOST project profile, TLTC used the amount to purchase handmade paper dyer designed by local inventor and laboratory tools for dyeing and laboratory apparatus for standardized dyeing.

TLTC was also able to construct handmade paper cooker with design assistance from Forest Products Research and Development Institute. Its workforce undertook technology training on dyeing and wrought iron metal forming.

The business is presently selling most of the handmade paper products to the local markets, and some are being exported to Egypt, USA and Australia. Its tinalak-based products are also being sold abroad.

DOST SETUP has also brought the upgrading of the Cavendish banana flour production of the AMS Employees Fresh Fruits Producers Cooperative in Kapalong town in Davao del Norte.

The P500,000 funding from the program acquired hammer mill and slicing machine for the cooperative that was able to make improvements in its production process that significantly increased by 91.42 percent.

The banana-based cooperative is engaged in the production of food and feed grade banana flour produced from the rejects of Cavendish bananas in a 200-hectare plantation.

In Davao City, the P90,000 SETUP assistance improved the quality and packaging of the processed durian products of Rosario’s Fruits Stop owned by Mary Grace Belviz in Calinan District, and with an increased sales of 20 percent.

The single proprietorship business produces durian candies, tarts and frozen fresh durian, and other products that include decorative items from young durian fruits.

The SETUP project purchased an automatic mixer that shortens mixing time of durian pulp and improves product quality and productivity.

The assistance also covered training on Good Manufacturing Processes and food safety, provision of stainless steel food processing fixture, product development, improvement of plant lay-out and provision of label design.

Another SETUP project that was recently approved was the upgrading of the manufacturing process of dry type transformer of the Oriental American Technologies Electrical Construction Services Inc. (ORAMTECH Inc.) in Buhangin, Davao City.

The project amounted to P460,000 that was utilized to purchase processing equipment such as bender and shear/core cutter expected to increase production efficiency and projected to boost income by 100 to 300 percent.

In Davao del Sur, the technology upgrading program assisted the Woodworks Kiln Dried Products based in Digos City that specializes in panel doors and moldings.

Woodworks obtained the 20-board foot capacity Kiln Lumber Dryer, milling machine, wide-belt sander and engraving machine from the nearly P1 million SETUP assistance, to address the need for an upgrading of facilities and to cater to the increasing market for panel doors.

The DOST-SETUP has also improved the coconut sugar/syrup venture of the Lao Integrated Farms, Inc. in Bansalan, also of Davao del Sur, which received a financial assistance of P660,000 that acquired the firm a double jacketed steel pasteurizer and rotary dryer project.

The assistance helped develop the production process and quality of coconut sugar/syrup products complying with the export market standards.

The DOST SETUP has been providing cash assistance to small enterprises in the country with no interest and payable for three years. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)