THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to prepare them for the Asean integration next year.
To help the MSMEs in the region, DOST-CAR has been strengthening its Techno-Transfer and Commercialization Program with various councils from the different sectors and their research and development institutes.
DOST-CAR Assistant Director for Technical Services Nancy Bantog said the agency is ensuring workers, particularly entrepreneurs, are equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills particularly in new technologies to be able to be as competitive as other work force of other Southeast Asian countries.
Through the DOST's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup), MSMEs are provided with technology transfer assistance such as equipment, facilities and in upgrading production tools and processes to produce quality products and services.
As of the first semester of 2014, the DOST regional office has already given more than P12 million worth of assistance to 28 MSMEs.
For the past 12 years, Bantog reported the regional office have already invested about P90 million for more than 240 MSMEs in the region from different sectors under the Setup.
She noted priority sectors in the region are food, engineering, agriculture, aquaculture and furniture.
In addition, the DOST is also providing technical consultancy services for MSMEs especially those in the agriculture sector.
For the first semester of 2014, the office has given consultancy services to 30 clusters of farm beneficiaries in CAR under the Consultancy on Agricultural Productivity Enhancement program.
Moreover, the agency is also planning to invest more in assisting MSMEs in labeling and packaging of products.
Bantog called on MSMEs to avail of their assistance so they may be armed to compete come Asean Integration.
The assistant director mentioned there are more than 2,000 registered MSMEs in the region, citing a database from Philippine Statistics Authority-National Statistical Coordination Board.