OPA S R t A a M r I s M V o lu m e 2 Success stories of SETUP-assisted and community-based projects Edited by Ma. Josefina P. Abilay • Christine M. Pine Bilshan F. Servañez • Jerry B. Mercado Map of the Verde Island Passage MIMAROPA Oriental Mindoro REGION Marinduque Occidental Mindoro Mindoro Strait Sibuyan Sea West Philippine Sea Tablas Strait Romblon Palawan DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Office Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila Sulu Sea — Edited by — Ma. Josefina P. Abilay Christine M. Pine Bilshan F. Servañez Jerry B. Mercado MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY y warmest greetings to the readers of MIMAROPA Stars Vol. 2, a project icro-, small-, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). of our economy, comprising roughly 99% of all business enterprises. M Since my administration took office, we have worked to cement the MThey generate significant employment opportunities dwarfing that foundations of good governance and transform the Philippines by reinforcing offered by large-scale industries. Indeed, their contribution in stimulating local our institutions with integrity, accountability, and transparency. We are now economies cannot be overstated. called to work more diligently to accelerate our progress and prove that the fruits Cognizant of the role of small businesses in economic growth and in of our labor are directly, immediately, and substantially felt by our countrymen, changing the lives of the poor particularly those in the countryside, Congress especially those in the margins of society. has passed legislations that support the growth of MSMEs by providing financial Inclusive growth enables us to maintain our virtuous cycle of empowerment incentives and lifting stringent regulatory requirements. and revitalization. With Agham na Ramdam as DOST’s contribution to this ideal, As Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, I commend we will continue to rise to the challenge and leave no one behind on the path the efforts of the Department of Science and Technology-MIMAROPA Region to prosperity. The stories of the entrepreneurs and community-based projects (DOST-MIMAROPA) in bringing scientific, technological, and innovative featured in this publication attest to the Department’s initiatives in countryside solutions to enterprise development in the island-provinces of Occidental development and to their indispensable support in our endeavors. Those who Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan. have benefited from the program will help open the doors of opportunity for more of our countrymen and help usher in a new era of advancement for the MIMAROPA Stars Volume 2, which is a showcase of success stories Philippines. of DOST-assisted MSMEs in the MIMAROPA Region proves how simple yet appropriate S&T solutions can bring about critical change in small business Congratulations to the whole team of DOST-MIMAROPA. May your efforts enterprises, which can stimulate inclusive growth. encourage other public servants to remain true to our shared vision of lasting, equitable progress. By documenting the accomplishments of these MSMEs, we recognize their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit and we hope that these can serve as an inspiration for them to achieve more. On the other hand, sharing their journey marked by hardship and victory should inspire others to follow their path to success. I enjoin everyone, with the help of the DOST and other partners, to continue H.E. BENIGNO S. AQUINO III to find better ways in driving and bringing about progress that should be shared by everyone. Congratulations to DOST-MIMAROPA and to your assisted MSMEs. RALPH G. RECTO Senate President Pro-Tempore, Republic of the Philippines MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY ongratulations to the Department of Science and Technology – Regional he importance of assisting micro, small, and medium scale enterprises Office IV-B (MIMAROPA Region) for coming up with a second volume of (MSMEs) through science, appropriate technology, and an innovative Cthe MIMAROPA STARS. Tmind-set can never be understated. After all, if we go by statistics, MSMEs compose 99.6% of all business establishments and 60% of the exporting Your efforts in assisting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) companies in the country. Furthermore, MSMEs contribute 63% of the country’s in the region is now a success. Publishing the stories of these successful MSMEs labor force, putting 35.7% to the total sales and value of the manufacturing is another important initiative that could help sustain and encourage both those sector. already in the business and the enterprising individuals who are trying to start their business but are looking for success stories to learn from. This book is not To maximize the huge potential for economic growth not only necessitates only a source of pride but another reliable reference for business starters. interventions in the form of innovation systems, technical and consultancy services, packaging and labelling services, and product development and Thank you therefore for this very important initiative and more success to standardization, but also to engage, inspire, and convert others to found all your endeavors. development through Science and Technology; to let those who we serve Again, congratulations! experience Agham na Ramdam. The telling of the success stories of our MSMEs is a good way to engage, inspire, and convert others, and to that end DOST-MIMAROPA has done well with the publication of this book, MIMAROPA Stars Volume 2. As with the first volume, published in 2013, the Regional Office presents here selected SETUP- assisted and community-based projects throughout the provinces of Oriental HON. VICTOR J. YU Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, and how Representative they were able to level up their businesses through S&T. 1st District, Zamboanga del Sur I commend DOST-MIMAROPA for their untiring efforts in bringing closer the benefits of Science and Technology to businesses and communities in their region, and their continuing strong partnership among other government and non-government service providers. May this book provide more inspiration to move us to attain inclusive growth for the betterment of our national economy and the development of our country. Mabuhay! HON. MARIO G. MONTEJO Secretary MESSAGE FROM THE UNDERSECRETARY MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR itnessing the success and growth of our micro, small and medium- ne of the many formulas for success is “never giving up.” This is very scale enterprises (MSMEs) is truly heart-warming. Their perseverance much akin to the rally of DOST-MIMAROPA and our assisted MSMEs— Wand hard work, underpinned by science, technology and innovation is Oto be relentless in our efforts to accomplish our goals amidst the worth emulating; their stories, worth sharing. Their success helps drive inclusive challenges that shackle us. This MIMAROPA STARS, volume two, is an offshoot growth in the countryside and empowers communities to contribute to national of those efforts. It is an audacious attempt to provide our clients in the region the development. inspiration to become industry champions as the men and women published here have become. The maiden issue of MIMAROPA Stars published in 2013 featured 20 success stories of SETUP-assisted and community-based projects throughout We are proud to give you a new batch of our assisted MSMEs, which the region. Twenty stories, however, were not enough to capture the zeal of through their hard work, relentlessness and high appreciation for the practical DOST-MIMAROPA to drive their MSMEs to achieve the growth they have use of technology in their operations were able to carry their business to attained. Twenty stories more are not enough to narrate the progressive journey growth. This compendium of 21 success stories illustrates the journey to the that the region’s current 267 SETUP beneficiaries are going through just to be top of these MSMEs and community-based enterprises from the different key counted here. industries in the region. Their shift to more progressive and technopreneurial mindsets, with the nurturing support of SETUP, enabled them to prove that such So I thank DOST-MIMAROPA for coming up with this second volume to are the qualities needed for a sustainable technology-based regional economy. inspire other MSMEs and to make them believe that technology solutions could transform businesses, communities and nations, including ours. To our MIMAROPA STARS, you personify the government’s ultimate goal for a sustainable and inclusive growth. Congratulations! And I thank the MSME Stars included here for believing and for having confidence that DOST’s and the government’s programs can, indeed, make the difference. DR. MA. JOSEFINA P. ABILAY Regional Director DR. CAROL M. YOROBE Undersecretary for Regional Operations MESSAGE FROM THE governor MESSAGE FROM THE Lone district representative Occidental Mindoro Occidental Mindoro deeply admire the concept initiated by the DOST as they share their efforts rue to the country’s mission of sustained and inclusive growth, I would like and resources to attain their goal of creating a sustained growth and to commend the Department of Science and Technology – MIMAROPA I competitiveness in the MIMAROPA Region. TRegion for empowering MSMEs through the Small Enterprise