Forum on new tech consultancy programs set under DOST SETUP

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices VI and VIII recently held a virtual forum to orient and benchmark about the new technical consultancy programs to be implemented under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Engr. Ernesto M. Granada, DOST VIII Regional Director, emphasized in his opening message that the virtual session aims to equip regional program implementors in order to meet the utmost satisfaction of its clients and constituents.

During the session, DOST VI Officer-in-Charge for the Office of the Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Engr. Naomi Cossette R. Luis, discussed the details of each consultancy program. The presentation covered programs on Agricultural Productivity, Manufacturing Productivity, Environmental Management, Food Safety, Product and Process Development, Quality Management, and Machinery and Equipment Management which were developed under the project, “Strengthening the Competitiveness of Priority Philippine Industries through the SETUP 4.0”.

SETUP 4.0 is an improved implementation of the original program.  Aside from providing science and technology (S&T) support to individual micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), it also targets to tap into the needs of the industry or sector.  It promotes building SMARTER MSMEs or MSMEs that are socially responsive, market-oriented, agile, resource-efficient, technology-intensive, environment-friendly, and resilient.

DOST VI has begun its transition to SETUP 4.0 in 2020 and 2021 as the lead implementing agency of the project. With this, Engr. Luis was able to share valuable insights about the rollout of the new programs as implemented in Western Visayas.  She highlighted that the new programs are essential because the transfer of knowledge always depends on the context of the organization and the MSME’s environment.

Attendees during the session were DOST VIII Technical Consultancy Services (TCS) personnel and DOST VI Science and Technology Services (STS) personnel. DOST VI intends to conduct more sessions alike with other regional offices to gather more inputs as well as to improve the overall delivery of S&T services across the regions.