DOST-Siquijor  turns-over check to Siquijor SMEs

·P7 to 9M released to all beneficiaries since start

by Rizalie A. Calibo

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), recently released another round of funding to its beneficiaries -- a P120,000-check to Pajermo Furniture for another machine-a jointer plainer and another P72,000-check to Duran’s Banana Products exclusively for packaging, to further boost both their productivity.

In interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here, Provincial Science and Technology (PSTC) Provincial Director Mario de la Pena said the move is the DOST’s continuing  support to the SETUP  beneficiaries to make sure that the project are sustained in response to the government’s effort to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurs as the engine for job creation and wealth distribution.

The local entrepreneurs said they are very fortunate they are one of the few beneficiaries who enjoy the package of support from the agency.

“Dako gyud kayo ang among pasalamat sa DOST,” said the two DOST program beneficiaries, Butch Duran of Duran Banana Products and Roberto Pajermo of the Pajermo Furniture here.

SETUP provides a package of intervention in the form of technology upgrading and acquisition, packaging and labeling, technical consultancy services, product standards development, and identification, training and networking assistance.

Fifteen manufacturers/producers from this province were beneficiaries of SETUP program since 2005 releasing some P7 to P9 million in project funds.

The first beneficiaries were Pajermo Furniture (two releases), CJP Furniture, Duran’s Banana Crackers (two releases), and Renie’s Peanut Processing with a total release of P863,000.

Second batch  were Jainen’s Cakes and Pastries, P251,000; Jairen’s Bakeshop in Lazi, P300T; Eimars General Merchandize; Ever’s Special Peanut Processing, P178,000; R&J Homemade Meat Products, P134,000; and the Naning’s Furniture, P280T.

For 2007,  projects were the establishment of Accelerated Vinegar Making Facility, P150T, and P. Cortes Weilding Shop, for the Establishment of Wrought Iron Forming Facility, P180T.

“Our local entrepreneurs from the food; furniture; gift; houseware and decors; marine and metals who are in need of technology upgrading to increase productivity are our top priority”, Engr. De la Pena said.

 “Our support even includes proposal preparation and MOA signing aside from the equipment acquisition, laboratory analysis, shelf-life testing, trainings and consultancy services”, he said.

To cite the local DOST has initiated the development of packaging and labeling design of Siquijor products which were showcased in the yearly Halad Siquijodnon Trade Fair and Exhibits that highlighted the Araw ng Siquijor celebration.

“This assistance of DOST is very helpful to SMEs and I hope to assist more based on the project and the quality of the proposals. (RACalibo/PIA-7 Siquijor)

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Siquijor entreps, gov’t sector complete  planning workshop

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

Siquijor Province, March 30 (PIA)-- Entrepreneurs and representatives of both private and government sectors who are members of the Siquijor Provincial SMED Council completed yesterday the two-day Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Planning Workshop at the Siquijor State College (SSC), Larena, Siquijor.

Morning sessions of the first day were packed with discussions and workshops on the MSME Development Strategic Directions: 2010 to 2016 National MSME Development Plan presented by DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte; Development Partner (GIZ) by GIZ PSP Manager for Component 1 Rita Pilarca; PMSMEDC Member agencies 2010 Accomplishments in support of the MSMEs in Siquijor by Siquijor PSMEDC Chair Engr.

Deleto W. Cuevas; Provincial Economic Program of Siquiqjor by Provincial Planning and Development Officer Gladys F. Estrellada; and the unpacking of the priority sectors box in Search of Siquijor economic drivers.

In the afternoon were workshops on Cost Analysis and Strategic Options; Identification of PPAs; Preparation of the Outputs per sector; and Presentation of Sectors’ respective Plans (results of Cost Analysis and Strategies.

Day two tackled on the Mandate, Rules and Responsibilities of the Provincial MSMEDC; Capacity Works and a series of KSF workshops and plenary presentation of workshop outputs.

The training was capped with Commitment Ritual with the theme We Aspire, We Believe, We Commit. (RACalibo/PIA-7/Siquijor)

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Siquijor PNP chief claims zero-robbery case in 1st month

·         warns beach resort owners of visitors’ “rob ko” tactics

by Rizalie Anding Calibo

Province of Siquijor, March 30 (PIA7)— One month after his February 23entrance  to the province,  Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) Provincial Director Ernesto Agas already claims a 100 percent drop in robbery and theft cases.

The PNP Director impressed Siquijor province last month when he vowed that he would do his best to lower the number by 100% this year as he noted the rising robbery and theft cases in most beach resorts in the province.

PNP report showed three occurrences of robbery and theft from January to February this year compared to the only one case in the same period of last year.

“Siquijor is a really good and peaceful place that tourist would love to visit but we cannot call it a paradise if robbery continues to exist,” Agas said as he vowed to fine-tune security side especially inhouse security force in beach resorts and other business establishments, whom he said are the main security aside from the police.

Right then and there, Agas said, he conducted a dialogue with beach resorts,storeowners, and the inhouse security and warned security forces of outright replacement the moment robbery occurs. “It would already mean laxity on their part because we have done our best,” he said.

The Provincial director also warned them of the “rob ko” tactics of some visitors who would just make stories of being robbed and report that they have lost some of their belongings just to be spared from paying bills or even demand for higher refunds.

Beach owners or business establishments should strictly implement inhouse security measures such as getting checklist on visitors’ valuables that should be covered in their protection to assure that there would be no reporting that is not true, Agas said.

Agas also said institutionalization of the Provincial Tourist Police is also a must for a tourist destination province like Siquijor.

Meanwhile, Agas said his men, with strong support of Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr., and Mayor Edwin Quimno of San Juan town, where most beach resorts in the province are, are doing foot and ronda patrol. "This would prove our police visibility and serviceability to this province, he said.(RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)