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THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH and the DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.DOST.GOV.PH
VOL. 3 | NO. 11 March 18-25, 2015
DOST, SCCII brief Siquijor SETUP on AFTA challenge by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST-Siquijor
SIQUIJOR, March 11 (PIA) --The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SCCII) held a summit recently at the Siquijor State College (SSC) in Larena, Siquijor called “Siquijor S E T U P C o n f e r e n c e : Te c h n o l o g y Upgrading to Meet the AFTA Challenge”. The conference aims to address the need to promote and disseminate the information on the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) and DOST’s programs and activities which entrepreneurs can avail to enhance their product quality and competitiveness. In his opening remarks, provincial science and technology director Engr. Mario de la Peña stressed the need for MSMEs to be more competitive due to influx of cheap products from ASEAN countries. SSC President Dr. Imogen Quilicot gave her message on the need to have a positive working attitude and to embrace the ASEAN Integration by being prepared. DOST-7 assistant regional director for technical services, Engr. Jesus F. Zamora, Jr., said that DOST is mandated to assist the MSMEs through upgrading and technological transfer. He also discussed the DOST’s programs and activities to address the challenges brought about by AFTA. The event was attended by DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) beneficiaries, Grant-in-Aid (GIA) beneficiaries and would-be SETUP beneficiaries. It was also attended by DOST Siquijor staff, DOST RO7 representatives, SCCII representatives and resource speakers. DOST-7 SETUP coordinator Engr. Tristan Abando gave a presentation on the AFTA and other activities DOSTprograms especially on packaging and labelling while SSC Accountant Dr.
DOST-7 SETUP coordinator Engr. Tristan Abando giving a presentation on the AFTA and other DOSTprograms especially on packaging and labelling Norma Taroc gave a short presentation on simple bookkeeping and costing. Meanwhile, Cebuana exporter Venus Genson, President of Art ‘N Nature Mfg. Corp gave a presentation on the uses of coconut husk and shell as GHD. She also showed an example of a coconut GHD she dubbed as “coco monkey”. In addition, she discussed how Filipino entrepreneurs like her should prepare the ASEAN integration by being competitive. Maricar Masayon of Larena Triad, Dr. Peck Cortes of P. Cortes Welding Shop, Robert Pajermo of Pajermo Furniture and Gerry Sumagang of GL Motors gave testimonies on how DOST helped their businesses on being competitive, having diversified products and acquire efficient equipment. PIA-Siquijor manager Rizalie Calibo, Blezela Mae Omictin of PDRRMC and Dr. Peck Cortes of Brgy.
Poblacion, Siquijor expressed their gratitude and narrated how DOST Siquijor helped their agency became efficient in providing services to the public. In similar development, awards of recognition were given to 12 SETUP beneficiaries in the province “for championing the technology transfer” in their respective sector through DOST SETUP. Three SETUP beneficiaries were also awarded for their outstanding contribution in the different sectors. E l e n a ’s B a k e r y b e s t e d a l l other contenders for the 2015 DOST Siquijor Technovation Award--2015 Siquijor Outstanding SETUP Beneficiary. Eimmar’s General Merchandise and Naning’s Furniture emerged as 1st runner up and 2nd runner up, respectively. The summit ended with a message of encouragement to all entrepreneurs from Engr. Judy Booc, SCCII President. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/ Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST-Siquijor)