DOST awards businesses for S&T innovations
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, July 24 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 has given recognition to three companies which have used science and technology to upgrade operations.
Engineer Ramir V. Bonghanoy, president of the BOB-ACE Fashion Tools Inc., is one the three awardees of the DOST 7 in Cebu during the recent Regional Science and Technology Week for his successful application of science and technology (S&T) in upgrading his products to be globally competitive.
In its recognition award, the company was cited for its innovative application of technologies in wood processing, home furnishing, fashion accessories, cleaner production and manufacturing productivity.
Bonghanoy said DOST 7 has been of very great help for its technical expertise and its services for micro, small and medium enterprises to make use of S&T develop and improve its products to be competitive.
“Back in 1993, we were then starting with only eight people supplying products for exporters. But because of the assistance of DOST, we have grown to be a leading exporter today with 320 workers,” said Bonghanoy.
Bonghanoy said he is exporting buttons abroad made of innovative materials here and that the innovation is due to the S&T application made possible with the technical expertise of DOST.
As president of the Gifts, Toys and Houseware-Cebu, Bonghanoy has urged its members to avail of the services of DOST especially its programs called SET-UP, or the small enterprises technology upgrading program.
The SET-UP is designed to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) be competitive with the infusion of new and advanced technologies to improve its operations; design of functional packages and labels; assistance in the establishment of product standards including testing; database information system; and manpower training, technical assistance and consultancy services.
DOST 7 Regional Director Rene Burt Llanto said the program also provides financial assistance to MSMEs that require S&T solutions and interventions to be competitive from consultation to product labeling and packaging to testing among others.
In Central Visayas, the SET-UP was able to assist over 1,000 MSMEs since 1992 when the program was launched. “Financial assistance ranged from a few hundred thousands to more than a million depending on the needs of the company,” said Llanto adding that for financial aid of more than P1 million requires Central Office approval already.
Llanto called on MSMEs to avail of the program and go to their office to check how government can help them.
President Aquino has called on concerned government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry to strengthen the MSMEs, which comprises 99 percent of the business sector and recognizing its critical role in employment generation.
The other two awardees of the DOST 7 were Teresa Pono, project director of AFOS Foundation for its meritorious commitment to the advancement of S&T and innovation as fundamental pathways for socio-economic progress in Central Visayas and the country, and the husband-and-wife tandem of Danilo and Joan Jarque of Hydronet Consultants, Inc., for their meritorious dedication and partnership in the advancement of environmentally sound, innovative and socially responsible technologies. (PIA-Cebu)