DOST – Set-Up assists 9 MSMEs in Palawan

By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza

Thursday 3rd of January 2013

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- Brick-making, native drum manufacturing, and food processing are just some of the businesses that received a boost in production under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Set-Up) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Palawan.

Nine micro-, small-, medium-, enterprises (MSMEs) in Palawan benefited from the Set-Up with assistance ranging from P72,000 to P1.9 million for a total of P3.3 million release in 2012.

The most recent assistance was released in December to Gonzaga Machine and Motor Works in Puerto Princesa City for acquisition of high-precision machines valued at P1.95 million. This is also the highest amount approved for a project under Set-Up in Palawan last year.

The next big budget project is the Cashew Processing Enterprise Enhancement Project by the Paraiso Sweets and Delicacies in Puerto Princesa City. Its project cost of P328,000 is intended for upgrading its processing equipment.

The food processing projects approved under Set-Up are primarily to upgrade its equipment to enhance productivity. These are Rojem’s Homemade Candies in Taytay (P72,000); Lina’s Cashew in Roxas (P192,000); JML Homemade Delicacies in Narra (P200,000); Gabuco’s Bakeshop in Puerto Pricnesa City (P203,590); and Yamie’s Food Products in Puerto Princesa City (P187,000).

Non-food projects include Potter’s Hand Ceramic Manufacturer in Roxas given P101,430 assistance for upgrade of its equipment in the making of bricks and pottery. Origin Crafts, maker of percussion instrument and native drums is also a beneficiary with P77,400.

DOST Set-Up is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist small businesses to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations, and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness.

Under the program, the beneficiary is able to address its technical problem through technology transfer and technological interventions through better product quality, human resources development, cost minimization, waste management, and other operation-related activities.

The financial assistance is payable within three years without interest. There is already a total of 21 project beneficiaries of DOST’s Set-Up in the province. (VSM/TBO-PIA 4B, Palawan)