DOST releases P1.5M for Palawan small enterprise projects

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently released P1.57 million for four projects under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SET-UP which will improve the productivity and quality of the products of its beneficiaries.

SET UP is a nationwide strategy of DOST to encourage and assist SMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness.

The four approved projects are: wood manufacturing of Munting Kabuhayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, peanut butter of Bacabac Home Made Peanut Butter, turmeric production of the Unlad Multi-Purpose Cooperative and mango processing of the Narra municipal government.

With a project assistance of P750,000, Munting Kabuhayan MPC can purchase a kiln dryer with a capacity to dry 3,000 board feet of lumber. The lumber will be sourced from planted species.

Engr. Pacifico Sariego, head of DOST-Palawan, said the acquisition of the dryer will improve the quality of wood and the productivity of the cooperative because it would shorten the drying time of lumber by more than 200 percent. He also said that drying by normal method will take six months compared to the use of the kiln dryer which will only take two weeks.

Bacabac Home Made Peanut Butter received P170,000 for the upgrade of its roasting equipment, peanut grinder and induction sealer and thus increase production volume and improve quality.

Modern research has uncovered the many health and medicinal benefits of the spice turmeric or luyang dilaw. Recognizing the potential of turmeric, the Unlad Multi Purpose Cooperative in Brooke’s Point ventured into ginger production. The cooperative received P450,000 to purchase a better dryer and grinder equipment to improve productivity and quality.

The municipal government of Narra got P200,000 for the processing of dried mangoes, puree, and candy.

Sariego said that the beneficiaries will also receive training and other technical assistance from DOST particularly in the areas of product standards and packaging for sustained growth and competitiveness. (LBR/VSM/PIA-Palawan)

by Vicky S. Mendoza