Two (2) innovative micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province of Antique, QB’s Solar-Powered Ice Cubes and LMT Prints and Copier Center, are making significant strides in developing sustainable business solutions. With assistance from the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program Innovation Enabling Fund (SETUP iFund), these MSMEs lead the way in innovation and sustainability in their respective industries.

QB’s Solar-Powered Ice Cubes, established in 2016, and has grown into a leading supplier of ice in the province, transforming ice manufacturing by harnessing solar energy. Owned by Maylene Almiñe-Salvaleon and managed by Julius Salvaleon, the company started as a small ice cube manufacturer. Over the years, QB’s has expanded its operations and now produces 57.7 tons of purified ice each month. This growth allows the company to reduce its carbon footprint, and improve the efficiency of its ice manufacturing process.

LMT Prints and Copier Center, established in 1992, a trailblazer in eco-friendly printing, is also making strides with upgraded equipment and optimized processes. Owned by Maura Tondares and managed with her husband Lancelot Tondares, LMT offers services like BIR receipts, bookbinding, digital printing, and personalized items. With DOST’s support, LMT will be utilizing advanced technology, including laser cutters and large-format printers, to meet the evolving demands of its clients, offering high-quality and sustainable printing solutions.

DOST’s SETUP iFund continues to empower MSMEs by providing the technical support they need to drive growth and innovation. QB’s Solar-Powered Ice Cubes and LMT Prints and Copier Center are set to flourish, demonstrating how small businesses can achieve growth and sustainability through innovation. (RJROrquejo/Antique PSTO)