DOST offers technology assistance program

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Misamis Oriental is calling all interested entrepreneurs to avail of its technology assistance program, where the agency lends equipment and other production facilities to enhance productivity of the business owners belonging to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Cecilia Aca-ac, DOST’s provincial technology director, said under the small enterprise technology upgrading program (Setup), MSMEs are assisted with their technology needs.

“Setup also aims to assist and encourage MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to increase productivity and competitiveness; provide services and other technical assistance for MSMEs to have better product quality that conforms with the international standards; provide training for the development of human resources and skills upgrading of MSMEs; and provide technology consultants for other related activities such as cost minimization, reject reduction and waste management,” Aca-ac said Thursday last week during a forum with MSMEs in Cagayan de Oro.

Entrepreneurs attended the forum and some shared their unprecedented success after availing themselves of the Setup program, Aca-ac added.

“One example is Vjandep Pastel soaring high in the market. We also have a client under Setup the Jackson’s Enterprise in Cagayan de Oro whose owner also availed of the program. In fact, this company controlled the making of steel cabinet and other technology involving steel-made office facilities,” she said.

“These aspects are evident in the positive results as experienced by a number of our cooperators. However, Dost would like to extend this program to all qualified and interested parties,” she added.

On licensing procedure, Setup could also help the MSMEs in packaging and labeling, she said.