Over P7.9M aid for 11 MSMEs in Negros Oriental from DOST-SETUP

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

NEGROS ORIENTAL— The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Negros Oriental distributed more than P7.93 million as aid to 11 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province for the upgrading of their businesses through the department’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program Innovation-Enabling Fund (SETUP iFund).

According to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-NegOr provincial head Jennifer Tilos that the SETUP iFund is intended mainly for the acquisition of productivity-enhancing equipment and additional product variance, among others.

Tilos said that SETUP is a DOST flagship program that aims to assist the MSMEs to produce quality products, increase productivity, and sustain marketability through technology and equipment upgrading and strengthening of innovation capability.

SETUP cooperators will return the seed fund in three to five years, depending on MSME’s repayment capacity without interest.

Tilos added that recipient-MSMEs for food processing include Delg Chorizo and Homemade Food Retailing in Canlaon City and New San Jose Delicacies and Pastries in Canlaon City; Cassy and Hannah Store in Ayungon; Daebak Korean Food Trading in Dumaguete City; Lyn White’s Cakes and Pastries in Valencia; and Pitpat Burger in Basay.

For furniture making, funding was extended to Rajey Furniture in Tanjay City and Miguel Casket Making in Valencia; Citi Glass Aluminum and Roll-up Door Hardware in Bayawan City for metals and engineering; JAB Handy Craft in San Jose for gifts, decors and handicraft; and Nangka Agrarian Reform Farmer’s Cooperative (NARFACO) in Bayawan City for agriculture. (Photos: DOST-NegOr FB posts)