THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) turned over Monday, December 19, P1.7 million worth of equipment and packaging technology assistance to the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, and micro enterprises in the province.
DOST-Negros Island Region (NIR) director Engineer Rowen Gelonga, who led the turnover rites at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, said they hope the project will support the development of bamboo industry not only in Negros Occidental, but also in the entire region.
Of the amount, the province received P1 million for the purchase of one unit each of bamboo splitter, thickness planer, twin rip saw, and laminating press.
These equipment which will be used for the Bamboo Innovation Center being constructed at Panaad Park and Stadium in Mansilingan village in Bacolod City.
Gelonga, who also heads DOST-Western Visayas, said bamboo is a renewable resource, and people only need to learn new ways of maximizing the commodity that will further bring in economic development.
"Through this partnership with the Provincial Government along with the support of other agencies, we hope to mainly achieve product innovation,” Gelonga added.
This is under the agency’s Grants-In-Aid (GIA) project aimed at harnessing the country’s scientific and technological capabilities by providing financial grants to various programs in order to spur sustainable economic growth.
Provincial Administrator Leonardo Eusebio, who represented Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., thanked the agency for extending the assistance to develop the bamboo sector, which is one of the province’s priority-commodity now.
It will hugely contribute to the province’s measures to develop the local bamboo industry, Eusebio added.
The remaining about P720,000 for packaging technology assistance was distributed to 72 micro enterprises.
Through the project, which is now in its second phase, DOST-Negros Occidental assisted the biggest number of recipients from Sixth District, with 28.
In Second District, 13 micro enterprises availed of the packaging services; Fourth District, 12; Lone District of Bacolod, 11; First District, four; and Third and Fifth Districts, two each.
DOST Provincial Director Engineer Allan Francis Daraug said the agency has recognized the need for local micro enterprises to improve their label and packaging.
Daraug said having “quality” packaging does not only improve the appearance of the product, but also ensure the safety of consumers.
“Most of our micro enterprises cannot afford to invest on good packaging thus, assistance from the government is vital,” Daraug said, adding that the DOST has already approved the implementation of the project’s third phase that will cover another 70 recipients from the province starting next year. (EPN with reports from PNA)