The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Aklan Provincial S&T Office (PSTO) identified three micro-enterprises in Aklan for support under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program Innovation Fund or SETUP 4.0 iFund.

Aklan PSTO is set to assist Sandy’s Ice Station, Purple Charm Cakes and Pastries Shop, and Bona Fortuna Farms, Inc. to improve their production and sales.

DOST identifies the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in terms of their level of technology and delivers the appropriate S&T interventions.  SETUP 4.0 promotes the competitiveness of MSMEs and boosts their productivity through a wide range of S&T solutions.

The DOST technical support to Sandy’s Ice Station will involve improving its product quality, enhancing the current system processes through reduced electricity costs and carbon footprint, and improving compliance with food safety standards.  The firm targets to purchase Cube Ice Maker Machine and a Grid-Tie Solar System and foresees 75% increase in sales, 75% increase in production volume, and a three-person increase in employment.

The project with Purple Charm Cakes and Pastries Shop will focus on product quality improvement and process improvement.  Additionally, the project will touch on developing product packaging for the cakes and pastries shop.  During the first year of project implementation, production volume, sales, employment, and market reach are expected to increase.

Moreover, the project with Bona Fortuna Farms Inc. generally aims to improve its existing facilities and invest in appropriate and upgraded technologies to secure efficient production. Through SETUP 4.0 iFund, the farm targets an increase in total harvest cycles and an increase in sales.

The three firms recently signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Aklan PSTO to officially begin the projects.