MENU

By Vincent Mendez


 

DOST-TAPI and JZ Jewelry Repair Shop Owner Ms. Evelyn Zamora signed a deed of conveyance for completing the Venture Financing Program here at MetroCentre Hotel. (From left to right: IBOD Division Chief, Mr. Romeo Javate, TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena, JZ Jewelry Repair Shop owner Ms. Evelyn Zamora, & Assistant to the Owner/Manager Ms. Gleiza Laway).

The Technology Application and Promotion Institute held its first-ever Deed of Conveyance Signing Ceremony last September 30 at the Metrocentre Hotel, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

DOST-TAPI, in partnership with the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) of Bohol, celebrated the successful venture between the Institute and local businesswoman, Ms. Evelyn Zamora.

Marking the successful refund of DOST-TAPI assistance to the JZ Jewelry Repair Shop, Director, Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, together with business owner Ms. Evelyn Zamora, led the signing of the documents officially transferring the ownership of the machines and equipment that were procured through DOST-TAPI’s Venture Financing Program to Ms. Zamora.

Through the Venture Financing Program, DOST-TAPI provided financial assistance to JZ Jewelry to enable the firm to acquire the necessary equipment such as Investment Casting Machines and other tools for jewelry manufacturing and repair amounting to 712,468.76 PHP.

In her speech, Atty. Decena highlighted the achievements of Ms. Zamora as a local businesswoman from Tagbilaran and her success despite the various challenges. 

“It is a testament that a local businesswoman in Tagbilaran can be as successful as anyone else from anywhere given the right opportunities.” Atty. Decena said.

Ms. Gleiza Laway, the assistant to the owner/manager of JZ Jewelry, also shared her gratitude for DOST-TAPI’s assistance to their business.

According to her, DOST-TAPI’s venture financing program improved their operations, especially with the advent of their new machines.  With the success of their business, they are now looking forward to expanding into a full-blown jewelry manufacturing company; one of the first to be established in Bohol.

DOST-TAPI Director and IBOD Division Chief Mr. Romeo A Javate joined the sight visit of JZ Jewelry Repair Shop, one of the beneficiaries of the DOST-TAPI’s Venture Financing Program.

Moving forward, Atty. Decena urges business leaders in Bohol to also acquire the assistance of DOST-TAPI in modernizing their businesses.

“...let this be an inspiration to everyone who dares to build their dreams. We encourage you to take a leap of faith and become partners with DOST-TAPI in building a better foundation for your businesses.”, added Atty. Decena.

TechnoBYAHE brings more opportunities to Bohol

In line with the day’s event comes the first face-to-face session of TechnoBYAHE. 

Together with the local business community of Bohol, TechnoBYAHE presented the various services and programs of DOST-TAPI to support MSMEs in improving the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of their businesses.

Mr. Matthew Villanueva, campaign head of TechnoBYAHE, says that the event aims to better promote the assistance of DOST-TAPI closer to its stakeholders. 

“We’re really glad to be able to bring TechnoBYAHE to enterprises here in Bohol in person. We’ve been doing this virtually since the beginning of 2022, and it feels refreshing to be close to our prospective clients and be able to interact with them up close.” Mr. Villanueva said.

“Of course, what we really miss were the stories they shared with us after the talk. That’s how we know how passionate our local innovators and entrepreneurs are, and it makes us even more inspired in the work that we do at DOST-TAPI”, added Mr. Villanueva. 

Opening Forum for the TechnoBYAHE session with the Tagbilaran City MSMEs. 

After the presentation, Atty. Decena and Division Chief of the Investment and Business Operations Division of DOST-TAPI,  Mr. Romeo M. Javate facilitated the open-forum session. During the session business owners were able to further inquire about the assistance of DOST-TAPI.

Ms. Vina R. Antopina, Director of Bohol PSTC, shared her gratitude for these efforts for the business community of Bohol. According to her, these events bridge the gap between the national and local governments and distribute much-needed assistance to the MSMEs in the provinces.

For his closing remarks, Mr. Javate urged other businesses in Bohol to also avail the assistance of DOST-TAPI. He noted that DOST-TAPI and the PSTO around there are always open to assisting the needs of the local MSMEs.

“Our goal is to build more partnerships with more people like you as you become pillars of your communities,” said Mr. Javate.

By Aira Juarez


ORMOC CITY, LEYTE – The Department of Science and Technology through the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) has successfully launched the 1st leg of the DOST Stakeholders’ Forum and Caravan in partnership with DOST Region VIII at the Ormoc City Superdome, Leyte last August 25-27.

The event was also in conjunction with the Eastern Visayas Regional Science Technology Week (EVRSTW) and the 31st Visayas Area Business Conference organized by the Ormoc City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (ORCHAM).

Gracing the event were newly appointed Department of Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. with DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, DOST Region VIII Director Ernesto Granada and ORCHAM President Stephanie Diane Chu.

1

Department of Science and Technology officials led by Sec. Renato Solidum Jr., Regional Director Ernesto Granada, TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena together with officials from Ormoc City Chamber of Commerce and City Government of Ormoc during the opening ceremonies of the Regional Science Technology Week at the Ormoc City Superdome. Photo by Mirielle Vacal

The three-day event served as an opportunity to provide an avenue for the businessmen in the Visayas regions (Western, Central and Eastern Visayas) to have a business dialogue with technology generators supported and assisted by the country’s premier science and technology department.

Various activities were held simultaneously including a stakeholders’ forum which aims to tackle the needs of technology transfer and commercialization in the country. There is also a business-to-business meeting with local entrepreneurs and a technology transfer exhibit at the Ormoc City Plaza Quadrangle which was open to the public from August 25-27.

Exhibit bringing science closer to the people

Strategically placed at the heart of Ormoc City, the exhibit set-up by the DOST featured various technologies in the fields of agricultural productivity, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) competitiveness and food manufacturing.

2

Lakbay Teknolohiya Para Kay Juan at Juana exhibit located at the Ormoc City Quadrangle.

“The whole point kasi is – it is Technology for Juan and Juana. It’s technology for the people. We’re putting it right in the middle of the city quadrangle. It’s free entrance to everybody who is interested kaya this is really technology for the people,” ORCHAM Pres. Stephanie Chu explained.

Among the DOST-supported technologies showcased in the exhibit were BIOGROE, Carragheenan Plant Growth Promoter, Mykoplus Biofertilizer, CNC Plasma Cutter, Pelletizing Machine for Goat Feeds, Prototype Mechanical Cacao Sheller, Queen Pineapple Bran, Protein Enriched Copra Meal as feeds, Coco log Extrusion Machine, Decorticating Machine for separating coco coir, peat and dust from coconut husk, Carbonizer, Sugarcane-Bagasse Textiles, Vacuum fryer, Modular Water Retort, Greenhouse Solar Dryer, and Cacao Roasting Equipment.

3

Some of the DOST-assisted and supported technologies featured in the exhibit and was presented during the Business-to-Business meeting with local entrepreneurs in the Visayas.

The DOST Chief, who led the opening of the exhibit and the EVRSTW, explained the importance of bringing science closer to the communities and increasing awareness of the technologies and services available to them.

“Today, we showcase the best of DOST to our communities. Technologies that have pushed boundaries and new ideas that offer opportunities that will truly benefit the people. Indeed, we have proven that science is an ally in finding suitable solutions to addressing the needs and concerns of our communities for an improved way of living,” Sec. Solidum said.

4

DOST Sec. Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. scanning the QR codes found in the centerpiece of the exhibit. Each QR code features photos, videos, interactive games featuring the different programs offered by the DOST such as SETUP, CEST among others. Photo by Mirielle Vacal

Dr. Solidum, who has been with the department for 38 years prior to becoming a secretary, also inspired public servants to put their hearts and minds in delivering science and technology closer to the people they serve.

“As public servants, let us put our hearts and minds into what we do, and integrate ourselves and become a community of collaborations so that we may invite growth and inspiration even in the most unlikely places,” Dr. Solidum added.

Bridging the gap between tech generators and the business sector

DOST-TAPI invited esteemed speakers in their respective fields to pitch the technologies supported by the DOST. The business-to-business meeting held at the SUTUWAKI Restaurant from August 25-26 were attended by local entrepreneurs, business enterprises and MSME’s interested in adapting technologies developed by Filipino inventors and researchers.

5

DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena talks with Mr. Joselito and Mr. Olegario Paredes of Juanito Eco Farm School for Practical Agriculture, during the Business-to-Business Meeting. Photo by Mirielle Vacal

Mr. Olegario F. Paredes Jr., former President of the Organikong Magsasaka ng Rehiyon Otso, who attended the B2B, expressed his interest in adapting the Greenhouse Solar Dryer developed by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. (PhilMech) According to Mr. Paredes, the technology will be useful for the growing cacao industry in Eastern Visayas.

In the 2016-2022 Philippine Cacao Industry Road Map released by the Department of Agriculture, Eastern Visayas committed a 5% contribution equivalent to 5,000 metric tons volume of production of cocoa by 2022. Through the possible intervention of DOST-assisted technologies such as the Greenhouse Solar Dryer, the DOST hopes to achieve the goals of cacao farmers in the region in having an increased and sustained cacao yields, and improved farm productivity.

Apart from the Greenhouse Solar Dryer, several businessmen also expressed their interest in BIOGROE and the Mykoplus Biofertilizer both developed by researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Improving technology transfer protocol in the country

One of the main highlights of the event is the stakeholders' forum conducted in partnership with the City Government of Ormoc at the Ormoc City Hall last August 25.

The forum gave way for the interaction among the business sector, academe, government agencies and other key players in the Technology Transfer to discuss issues that will improve the technology transfer protocol that the Philippines currently has.

6

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena and DOST Region VIII Regional Director Ernesto Granada with Mr. Linnito M. Pascual of National Economic Development Authority during the hybrid DOST Stakeholders’ Forum in the Ormoc City Hall. Photo by Mirielle Vacal

In her speech, Director Decena hopes that the information that will be gathered in the forum may be used in publishing a Philippine Agenda on technology transfer and commercialization which will identify the priority areas and gaps that may be used as a basis for DOST interventions.

“We hope that this will be the beginning of our series of collaborations in the future to better implement enterprise development programs among local entrepreneurs or innovators in the community as part of your corporate social responsibility not only to help stabilize the economy but also in addressing societal issues in every life stage of the Filipino population,” said Atty. Decena.

The stakeholders’ forum and caravan in the Visayas is just the first among the four clusters which DOST-TAPI is planning to organize in the upcoming months. Next stop of the caravan is in Batangas City for the Southern Luzon Cluster, Ilocos region for the Northern Luzon Cluster and Zamboanga Peninsula for the Mindanao Cluster.

For more information, please contact 8837 2071 local 2151 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..