With the goal to sustain the growth and development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) strengthens its banner program, Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
DOST IX Regional Director Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano said that for this year 2016, a total of PhP55M is available for innovation support assistance to qualified MSMEs in Region IX. This budget represents a 37.5% increase from 2015 SETUP projects which amounted to PhP40M. In 2015 alone, a total of 40 MSMEs were assisted which contributed to the creation of 748 new jobs.
Overall, in 15 years of implementation of SETUP in Region IX, the program has assisted 231 firms / companies with total funding support of PhP158.94M, which consequently employed some 25,053 local constituents.
The DOST-SETUP projects are proven to be very helpful as the upgraded facilities contributed to the significant increase in the average productivity of the assisted firms.
SETUP is a nationwide strategy encouraging and assisting micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technology innovations to improve operations and boost productivity and competitiveness. Through this program, MSMEs can address technical / production problems through DOST interventions such as 1) system improvement – upgrading of equipment to improve productivity; 2) product development – with better product quality; 3) manpower development - training on the operation and maintenance of equipment, basic sanitation and hygiene and good manufacturing practices; and 4) process improvement - technical consultancy on proper plant lay-outing).
The program focuses on priority sectors such as a) Food processing; b) Gifts, housewares, decors; c) Marine and aquatic resources; d) Horticulture and agriculture; e) Metals and Engineering; f) Health Products and Services / Pharmaceuticals; and 7) ICT / Electronics.
For additional information, interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit or call, DOST Regional Office IX, Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City (Tel no. 991-1024); or any of our Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) : 1) Zamboanga del Norte – Turno (near LTO office), Dipolog City, (Tel No. 065 - 2122244); 2) Zamboanga del Sur - Limbo Bldg, Sanson Street, Roxas Corner, San Francisco District, Pagadian City (Tel No. 062 – 9251838); and 3) Sibugay - 2nd Floor, Faundo Bldg., National Highway, Poblacion, Ipil (Tel No. 062 – 9550825). (DOST IX PR)
