Two business firms from Surigao del Norte, Lakeview Bakery and DGT Graphics & Prints, received a total of 1,773,000 Million pesos worth of Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP funds to be used for the improvement of their business.

DOST’s SETUP program is a national strategy that encourages and assists MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus enhance their productivity and competitiveness.

The Lakeview Bakery is owned and operated by Mr. Alan Angelo L. Mozar, a three-decade bakery that sells a variety of sweet loaves of bread and pastries received 573,000 pesos to be allocated for solving the technological gaps in the business through science, technology, and innovation. This is to ensure continuous operation using new technologies that are expected to boost 46% efficiency and 45% productivity. The bakery shop was among the MSMEs in the country that has been affected by the successive lockdowns during the onset of the covid 19 pandemic, which halts their business operations in 2020.

Meanwhile, DGT Graphics & Prints, owned by Mrs. Bebiana L. Camingue and managed by his son Mr. Daniel Adrian Camingue acquired a total of P1.2 Million pesos. It’s a printing shop in Siargao Islands that offers various printing services such as vinyl stickers printing, document printing, photo printing, vellum printing, newsletter, sublimation printing, and lamination. They also accept embroidery orders for uniforms. However, with the fast-paced development on the island and soaring of various activities, Camingue’s printing services struggle to provide bulk orders. With the intervention of S&T, the business is expected to increase its sublimation printing services and embroidery works which will help them boost 52% efficiency and 50% productivity.

Apart from the fund, DOST Caraga will continue to provide capability building such as seminars and training to SETUP clients as well as with other services like product standards and testing, database management, and marketing.

Written by: Regina Mae Ronquillo