Secretary Alabastro visits Biliran SETUP projects

The second leg of the Eastern Visayas project visits of DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro took off in the island province of Biliran on March 26, 2010

With quite a number of DOST officials and media people joining the tour, Dr. Alabastro made her first stop at the Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines in Brgy. Bato, Biliran, Biliran.

BEOMP is known to be the largest producer of citronella oil in Region VIII or maybe the entire Visayas if not the whole country. Citronella oil is extracted at a rate of up to 1% from the matured leaves of citronella grass through steam distillation process using distilling still that can accommodate 600-1000 kg of grass per batch of 8 hours. The company owns two units of distillers, one of which is acquired through DOST's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

From BEOMP, the entourage proceeded to AR La Naval Motor Parts and General Marketing's metal fabrication facility in Naval, Biliran. This newly established project is into the production of minor parts for small engines including bushings, bolts, nuts, small gears, cylinder head re-bores and sleeving, and similar machining services. SETUP provided funds for the company's acquisition of major equipment.

Out of the visits, the Secretary observed firsthand how DOST's interventions through technology transfer and consultancy services was able to create employment, improved product quality, and increase production volume for the company. All these were made possible through the coordinated efforts of the ITDI, MIRDC, PCARRD, TAPI, the LGU, and DOST VIII.