DOST’s funded P114-M SET-UP projects in 2009

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 9 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday said it has funded under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) more than P114 million worth of projects for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) last year.

The program is a nationwide strategy to boost MSME productivity and competitiveness via technology innovations and the technical interventions resulting in enhanced product quality, upgraded human resources, cost reduction, effective waste management and tuned-up operations, he said.

With SETUP, MSMEs find answers to enterprise challenges and problems, get technical advices from consultants, training for workers and acquire new equipment to mechanized and improved product lines.

It also provides for standardized and improved product quality for more competitiveness with proper labeling and packaging, Briñas said.

Qualified beneficiaries for SETUP are Filipino entrepreneurs operating MSMEs classified under priority sectors such as food processing, furniture, gift items and decorative handicrafts, marine resources, horticulture like cutflowers, fruits or high-value crops and metal processing.

“Through this program, we are expanding the whole gamut of economic activity as the vital role of MSMEs is recognized and so are their needs,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DOST’s Innovation System Support (ISS) topped the list of intervention for SET-UP beneficiaries.

ISS interventions are aimed at improving products through the help of new technologies or innovative production processes.

ISS also supports the acquisition of new production equipment to improve the production processes.

Apart from the ISS, product packaging and labeling follows as the second most sought-after technology intervention among SET-UP’s beneficiaries.

This intervention is vital to the products since packaging not only enhances the look of the product but also lengthens its shelf life.

Good product packaging attracts consumers into buying the products on display. Meanwhile, labels are a market standard and contain important information on the product and its manufacturers.

Other interventions that SET-UP offers include publication, consultancy services, trainings, and information and education campaign (IEC) materials.

In 2009, the program provided 25,562 jobs and gave technical assistance to 1,239 companies. It also served 473 start up companies, Briñas said.

It also transferred 20 patented technologies from DOST’s Research and Development Institutions (RDIs) to private firms for commercialization, he added. (PNA)
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