VTA Link Printing Services signs MOA with DOST for its 2nd SETUP availment worth P1.6M Innovation Fund

The Department of Science and Technology – Caraga through its Provincial Science and Technology Office – Surigao del Norte (PSTO-SDN), forged a Memorandum of Agreement with VTA Link Printing Services on November 30, 2022 for the project entitled “Technology Upgrade of VTA Link Printing Services” with an approved project cost amounting to P1.6 million under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

The business started its operation in 1998 and was previously named as Jovenjane. Back then, aside from printing, it also offered catering services. In 2006, Mr. Victor L. Centino decided to focus on printing services. The business was renamed as CD-Link which operated until 2014. Eventually, it became VTA Link Printing Services in 2015.

With limitation on resources, the business started its printing operation through silk screen printing and manual heat pressing. They also outsourced other process of the production due to lack of equipment. Over the years of operation, the firm was able to gain loyal and regular customers in which they have seen the increasing demands for their products and services.

The growing market demands for the firm’s products and services prompt the proprietor to upgrade its production equipment to accommodate customers’ needs. Thus, Mr. Centino sought the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in 2017

to acquire upgraded production equipment.

On November 24, 2017, DOST extended assistance to the firm for the acquisition of Dye Sublimation Printer and Laser Engraving Machine amounting to P1 million through the technological intervention, the firm was able to increase its production volume up to 300%. The firm was able to increase its employment from 8 to 11 workers and provide them with the social benefits mandated by the law.

However, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the firm was one of the greatly affected businesses. Its physical store was closed due to lockdown and restriction on mobilization. To sustain the firm’s operation and with the increased demands for tarpaulin and signages printing during the pandemic, Mr. Centino decided to convert his sublimation printer to tarpaulin and signage printer. The firm slowly recovered its revenue losses during the pandemic and now back to its regular operation.

Currently, the products and services of VTA Link Printing Services are in high demand. Most of the orders of their clients require sublimation printing and since the present demand far exceeds the production capacity of the existing sublimation printer, the firm refers their customers to other firms for sublimation printing. Thus, Mr. Centino sought assistance from DOST for its second availment of the SETUP innovation fund to acquire additional production equipment to meet customers’ needs.

During the MOA signing, DOST-Surigao del Norte and VTA Link Printing Services pledged to extend their full support and commitment for the effective implementation of the aforementioned SETUP project.

SETUP enables firms to address their technical problems through acquisition and transfer of technology interventions. DOST-Surigao del Norte is also inviting interested MSMEs in the province to avail of the SETUP Program. Message our page Department of Science and Technology - Surigao del Norte to know more about the benefits, requirements, and identified priority sectors. (DOST- SDN/PIA- Surigao del Norte)