The government has lauded a number of micro, small and medium enterprises in Zamboanga del Norte for their resilience and for their huge contribution to the economy, the Department of Science and Technology indicated.

DoST highlighted the agency's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or Setup.

Setup is DoST's flagship program in assisting MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve productivity.

The program offers a package of interventions such as equipment upgrading, human resource development, technical consultancy services and laboratory analyses, among others.

Mechanizing small firms

A calamansi processing firm located in the Municipality of Katipunan, Laguerta Food Products, was able to mechanize its operation through DoST's assistance.

The firm was granted P1 million to acquire semi-mechanized calamansi juice processing equipment and water purification system.

Besides the equipment upgrade, the DoST also provided training for equipment operation and good manufacturing practices; technical consultancy on proper plant layout and compliance to FDA regulations; and laboratory analysis.

"DoST really helped us a lot. We have upgraded our business," proprietor Ardie Quiamjot said.

The small business operation was able to increase production by five times with three workers.

They were also able to market their products in major supermarkets and grocery stores in the province.

"We are now producing around 50 cases per day and we are already looking at expanding outside the province like the cities of Dumaguete and Cebu," Quaimjot added.