Siquijor SMEs get more funds, hails DOST program

by Rizalie A. Calibo

·        P7 to 9M released to beneficiaries since start

Siquijor province, March 25 (PIA) – Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) here get a boost as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continue pouring in its package of support for local entrepreneurs here.

“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.

The DOST, through its  Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), released last week another round of funding, 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 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 its 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.

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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“The best we can give is PRAYER,”

says IBP-Siquijor chair

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

Siquijor Province,  March 25 (PIA-7) --  “The best and the only thing we can do is PRAYER,” says retired Provincial Prosecutor and now President of  the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Siquijor Chapter, Atty. Alfonso L. Salcedo on the issue of three Filipinos convicted by the Chinese court for the serious crime of drug trafficking.

“Pag-ampo ra’y atong mahimo kay laing nasud ang nahitaboan,” (The only thing we can do is prayer because it happened not in our country), Salcedo said.

Supporting Salcedo’s statement, Chief of Parole and Probation Office Mario Rocamora also said we only hope against hope that through the representation of the Philippine Government, the death penalty will be commuted to a life sentence which only the Chinese Government has the jurisdiction.

Rocamora noted that Vice- President Binay has made his last ditch effort to stay the execution.  “But again, it’s their law… we can only appeal for humanitarian consideration,” he said.  

“We have to abide by their laws,” Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Dominica Lacuesta also said.

Rocamora and Lacuesta both lamented that the disparity is China imposed death penalty while the Philippines do not so that Chinese Nationals who may have the same offense do not have to suffer the same as what our poor OFWs have.

The government has done everything possible to save the lives of the three Filipinos set for execution on March 30.

President Aquino sent Vice President Binay as his personal emissary and the Vice President obtained a stay in their execution last February 18, 2011 after meeting with the Chief Justice or highest-ranking magistrate of the People’s Republic of China.

The three Filipinos were arrested, prosecuted and convicted within the scope of the laws of the PROC and we accord due respect to China’s legal system, a Malacañang statement said.

Meanwhile, an intensified educational campaign through the Philippine Information Agency(PIA) and its regional and provincial offices, in cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has been conducted to create heightened awareness on themodus operandi of drug syndicates that prey upon unsuspecting overseas Filipino workers who are recruited as drug couriers or drug mules.

This is the sad fate suffered by many of those that have been arrested and/or convicted in China.

The government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, will also continue to monitor and review the cases of other Filipinos arrested or convicted in China and elsewhere of drug-related and other crimes, for the purpose of protecting their legal rights and ensuring that they receive humane treatment. (RACalibo/PIA-7/Siquijor)