Micro-entrepreneurs in Biliran receive free consultancy

The MPEX Team with Ms. Lucy Dauz of DOST 8

Through the assistance of the Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) Program of the Department of Science and Technology, five (5) new micro enterprises from around Biliran province will benefit through a free consultancy services from local and national experts.

DOST will provide the consultancy support fund to Naval State University to mobilize their experts to conduct technical, marketing, and management advises to improve the productivity of the firms.  These consultancy will run for six months where consultants submit short and long term recommendations to the MSME for enhancement of their firms in line with the business operational areas mentioned earlier.

The beneficiary enterprises are: San Rose Processed Food Products from Sampao, Almeria, Biliran producing milk candy and other related candy products; the Almeria Builders from Almeria, Biliran producing metal products such as steel windows, grilles, steel trusses and others; CM Furniture in Acaban, Culaba specializing in wood based furniture; the Ronnie Furniture Shop in Bulalacao, Kawayan, Biliran who develops bamboo based furniture; and Julyanna's Cakes and Catering Services on cake production.

DOST Regional Office No. 8 in coordination with the Naval State University organized two consultancy teams to handle these five clients. The teams will be supervised by Mr. Daniel Ariaso, the Vice President of NSU responsible for external affairs and extension related services.

SETUP approves 2 new projects for Biliran

A total of PhP355,000 worth of technology upgrading assistance has been released to two (2) micro enterprises in the Province of Biliran in the 3rd quarter of 2011. The financial support include the acquisition of new equipment to improve production efficiency and production volume and improve the packaging and labeling of their products.

Winconfel Suman from Naval, Biliran would soon be acquiring improved set of equipment for the processing of glutenous rice into the popular native delicacy from Naval - the "Balintawak suman." In the otherhand, JV Bakeshop from Kansanoc, Kawayan, Biliran will be improving their process of producing the sweet otap, a sugar coated pastry popular among Cebuanos.

The financial support aims to improve the production volume of the msmes by at least 20% from their current production. This support will economically result to increase revenue and will provide employment opportunity in the locality.
(Inset Photo: wrapping of balintawak suman in anahaw leaves)