DOST’s SETUP beneficiaries named for the ASEAN Business Awards

(Contributed photo)

The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) proved its success once again as five of its supported companies, all from the National Capital Region (NCR), were nominated in an international business award.

The five SETUP beneficiaries were named as the country’s entries  to the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 22 last year.

The five nominees were beneficiaries who availed themselves of technological support, trainings, and equipment acquisition assistance through DOST-SETUP.

From SETUP beneficiaries to ABA nominees

Nominated for the category on Innovation and Employment are Marc and Tricia Castrodes of the Aretei Food Corporation. Their business initially started as a small commercial pastry bakery and, eventually, the business grew and expanded into breads, burgers, and buns. Today, the company produces various kinds of breads, cakes, cookies, and brownies. Through equipment acquisition assistance and technical trainings from DOST-SETUP, the company increased its product sales by 100 percent and improved its production efficiency.

Meanwhile, Yolanda Dela Cruz of Nisco Phils. Enterprises was nominated for the category of Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. Nisco Phils. Enterprises is a Philippine-based company that fabricates machineries for food processing, and cosmetic and pharmaceutical packaging applications. Thanks to the trainings and assistance on equipment acquisition from DOST-SETUP, the company increased its gross sales by 65 percent.

Another nominee was Teresita Ngan Tian of Midwest Food Industries Inc. (Lot’s A Pizza). Mrs. Ngan Tian was assisted in acquiring technical consultancy services for her business through DOST-SETUP. With this, the company increased its gross sales by 300 percent and even increased its franchises and company-owned outlets from 100 to 180. The undeniable success of Midwest Food Industries Inc. prompted. Ngan Tian to be nominated in the categories of Growth and Woman Entrepreneur Awards.

Sunlight Food Corporation, represented by Engr. Crispin Muyrong Jr. and Ma. Luz Muyrong, was nominated for the categories of Employment, Growth and Innovation. Sunlight Foods Corporation manufactures sweet preserves such as langka, macapuno, and ube. Among the notable improvements that the company had after availing itself of trainings and technology acquisition support from DOST-SETUP was a 300 percent increase in its production capacity.

Lastly, Julie Marquez Quiroga of J. Chemie Laboratories Inc. was nominated for the categories of Growth and Woman Entrepreneur Award; and Priority Integration Sector Excellence Awards for Healthcare. J. Chemie manufactures pharmaceutical products such as syrup, ointments, and household cleansing agents. Through DOST-SETUP, the company was able to avail itself of training and consultancy services which led to its improved productivity.

This new recognition for DOST-NCR’s SETUP beneficiaries is seen as an outcome of the Department’s continuous efforts to boost the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region. It also illustrates how local technology works indeed and with adequate support from the government, local technologies can further flourish and make their mark in the global market.

ASEAN Business Awards

The ABA is organized by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to recognize outstanding enterprises that have made significant progress within the ASEAN business community. The ABA spotlights MSMEs with the potential of becoming global economic players. The 2015 ABA has four categories: Growth, Employment, Innovation, and Corporate Social Responsibility Award; Young Entrepreneur Award; Woman Leaders Award; and ASEAN Priority Integration Sectors (PIS) Excellence Awards.

The first category focuses on recognizing MSMEs that demonstrate the ability to create, nurture, and develop new products or services and showed strong financial performance results and growth over the past two years. The Young Entrepreneur Award is given to those who served as good role model for other young entrepreneurs and MSMEs, while the Woman Leader Award is given to those in top management positions in MSMEs that show woman empowerment in the business community. Lastly, the ASEAN Priority Integration Sectors Excellence Award is given to Large and Mid-tier Companies that have outstanding commercial success and sustainable growth.