MIMAROPA Stars Vol. II

MIM

AROPA Stars

Volu me 2

Success stories of SETUP-assistedand community-based projects

Edited by

Ma. Josefina P. Abilay • Christine M. PineBilshan F. Servañez • Jerry B. Mercado

Palawan

Occidental Mindoro

Oriental Mindoro

Marinduque

RomblonWest Philippine Sea

Sibuyan Sea

Sulu Sea

Mindoro Strait

Verde Island Passage

Tabl

as S

trait

MIMAROPAREGION

Map of the

DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Office Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila

— Edited by —

Ma. Josefina P. AbilayChristine M. Pine

Bilshan F. ServañezJerry B. Mercado

My warmest greetings to the readers of MIMAROPA Stars Vol. 2, a project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Since my administration took office, we have worked to cement the foundations of good governance and transform the Philippines by reinforcing our institutions with integrity, accountability, and transparency. We are now called to work more diligently to accelerate our progress and prove that the fruits of our labor are directly, immediately, and substantially felt by our countrymen, especially those in the margins of society.

Inclusive growth enables us to maintain our virtuous cycle of empowerment and revitalization. With Agham na Ramdam as DOST’s contribution to this ideal, we will continue to rise to the challenge and leave no one behind on the path to prosperity. The stories of the entrepreneurs and community-based projects featured in this publication attest to the Department’s initiatives in countryside development and to their indispensable support in our endeavors. Those who 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 Philippines.

Congratulations to the whole team of DOST-MIMAROPA. May your efforts encourage other public servants to remain true to our shared vision of lasting, equitable progress.

H.E. BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

Micro-, small-, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of our economy, comprising roughly 99% of all business enterprises. They generate significant employment opportunities dwarfing that

offered by large-scale industries. Indeed, their contribution in stimulating local economies cannot be overstated.

Cognizant of the role of small businesses in economic growth and in changing the lives of the poor particularly those in the countryside, Congress has passed legislations that support the growth of MSMEs by providing financial incentives and lifting stringent regulatory requirements.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, I commend the efforts of the Department of Science and Technology-MIMAROPA Region (DOST-MIMAROPA) in bringing scientific, technological, and innovative solutions to enterprise development in the island-provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

MIMAROPA Stars Volume 2, which is a showcase of success stories of DOST-assisted MSMEs in the MIMAROPA Region proves how simple yet appropriate S&T solutions can bring about critical change in small business enterprises, which can stimulate inclusive growth.

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 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 PRESIDENTMESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY

The importance of assisting micro, small, and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) through science, appropriate technology, and an innovative mind-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 companies in the country. Furthermore, MSMEs contribute 63% of the country’s labor force, putting 35.7% to the total sales and value of the manufacturing sector.

To maximize the huge potential for economic growth not only necessitates interventions in the form of innovation systems, technical and consultancy services, packaging and labelling services, and product development and standardization, but also to engage, inspire, and convert others to found development through Science and Technology; to let those who we serve 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 Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, and how they were able to level up their businesses through S&T.

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

Congratulations to the Department of Science and Technology – Regional Office IV-B (MIMAROPA Region) for coming up with a second volume of the MIMAROPA STARS.

Your efforts in assisting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region is now a success. Publishing the stories of these successful MSMEs is another important initiative that could help sustain and encourage both those 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 only a source of pride but another reliable reference for business starters.

Thank you therefore for this very important initiative and more success to all your endeavors.

Again, congratulations!

HON. VICTOR J. YU Representative

1st District, Zamboanga del Sur

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MESSAGE FROM THE UNDERSECRETARY

Witnessing the success and growth of our micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) is truly heart-warming. Their perseverance and hard work, underpinned by science, technology and innovation is

worth emulating; their stories, worth sharing. Their success helps drive inclusive growth in the countryside and empowers communities to contribute to national development.

The maiden issue of MIMAROPA Stars published in 2013 featured 20 success stories of SETUP-assisted and community-based projects throughout the region. Twenty stories, however, were not enough to capture the zeal of DOST-MIMAROPA to drive their MSMEs to achieve the growth they have attained. Twenty stories more are not enough to narrate the progressive journey that the region’s current 267 SETUP beneficiaries are going through just to be counted here.

So I thank DOST-MIMAROPA for coming up with this second volume to inspire other MSMEs and to make them believe that technology solutions could transform businesses, communities and nations, including ours.

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. CAROL M. YOROBE Undersecretary for Regional Operations

MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

One of the many formulas for success is “never giving up.” This is very much akin to the rally of DOST-MIMAROPA and our assisted MSMEs—to be relentless in our efforts to accomplish our goals amidst the

challenges that shackle us. This MIMAROPA STARS, volume two, is an offshoot of those efforts. It is an audacious attempt to provide our clients in the region the inspiration to become industry champions as the men and women published here have become.

We are proud to give you a new batch of our assisted MSMEs, which through their hard work, relentlessness and high appreciation for the practical use of technology in their operations were able to carry their business to growth. This compendium of 21 success stories illustrates the journey to the top of these MSMEs and community-based enterprises from the different key industries in the region. Their shift to more progressive and technopreneurial mindsets, with the nurturing support of SETUP, enabled them to prove that such are the qualities needed for a sustainable technology-based regional economy.

To our MIMAROPA STARS, you personify the government’s ultimate goal for a sustainable and inclusive growth. Congratulations!

DR. MA. JOSEFINA P. ABILAY Regional Director

MESSAGE FROM THE governorOccidental Mindoro

I deeply admire the concept initiated by the DOST as they share their efforts and resources to attain their goal of creating a sustained growth and competitiveness in the MIMAROPA Region.

While there has been a compiled proof of successful achievements in the adoption of the Micro-Small and Medium Scale in its initial stage of implementation, there are more challenges in the near future that has to be done.

The province of Occidental Mindoro promises more bright accomplishments in this joint venture with the DOST. As part of the MIMAROPA Region, we intend to develop better resourcefulness among our MSM Enterpise partners in this province, a program that assures success in business within our jurisdiction.

For our part in the local government unit, we assure the participants to this innovative program in business science and technology our continued support

and assistance in our pursuit towards the success of this endeavor.

Congratulations and MABUHAY to our MSME Stars.

HON. MARIO GENE J. MENDIOLA

True to the country’s mission of sustained and inclusive growth, I would like to commend the Department of Science and Technology – MIMAROPA Region for empowering MSMEs through the Small Enterprise Technology

Upgrading Program (SETUP) assisted and community-based projects. It has proven to be effective in resolving challenging issues and drive innovation to the grassroots level. I hope that the Program persists to contribute to the development of more superior products and services.

Indeed, the stories contained in this publication are proofs that S&T, innovation, coaching and mentoring, and partnerships serves as the primary means of improved and competitive enterprises, products, and services. May the stories of people and their success continue to inspire us to labour in propelling growth that will support the present and future generations.

Furthermore, may the entrepreneurs continue to be inventive, innovative, and leverage the SETUP to craft effective strategies to boost brand awareness, build relationship with clients and customers, make sales, and catalyst for inclusive development. From the perspective of local economic development, may this program impel to attain a self-reliant domestic economy by building interconnected local supply-chain structure.

May the people behind the SETUP Program and the featured stories continue to be the guiding light of our fellow MIMAROPANs in building up skills, generate wealth, and create shared values to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

HON. JOSEPHINE Y. RAMIREZ-SATO

MESSAGE FROM THE Lone district representative Occidental Mindoro

MESSAGE FROM THE governorOriental Mindoro

Kudos to the men and women of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) MIMAROPA on the release of the MIMAROPA STARS VOLUME 2!

In its maiden issue, the MIMAROPA STARS VOLUME 1 shared the heartwarming stories behind Oriental Mindoro’s best Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) — Full Packed Success of Merl’s Native Delicacies, Welding Victory of ULIP Welding Shop, The Seaweed Success Story of Samahang Manggagawa sa Balatasan, Bulalacao and the Bansud Livestock Marketing Cooperative’s From Hogs to Riches Story. All of which are beneficiaries of innovative science and technology interventions from the DOST.

Its sequel publication, MIMAROPA STARS VOLUME 2, will prove to be another comprehensive chronicle of the remarkable journey to success of the best MSMEs and community-based projects throughout the island provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan. These stories are of

the recipients of DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and the Regional Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Funds and other DOST Assistance Programs.

Within its informative pages, we glimpse into the raw beginnings of these MSMEs, the challenges and obstacles they have faced and conquered and the eventual success in their respective industries, thru DOST’s introduction and provision of innovative science and technology systems, technical and consultancy needs and services, product development and standardization and other industry-related support and assistance.

MIMAROPA STARS VOLUME 2 highlights the MSMEs’ practical application of DOST’s interventions that enabled them to be at par with the country’s best, to be more competitive, highly productive and profitable, and with strengthened job generation capability that contributed to their local economy and to the national economy.

This publication demonstrates that inclusive and sustainable growth for various industries and their communities may and can be achieved thru the combined support and interventions of concerned government agencies and the conscientious efforts of program beneficiaries. This is a clear testimony that anything can be realized if we only work hand in hand in achieving our desired goal — that of to succeed in our chosen fields of endeavors and to be of service to those who are in need.

We hope that MIMAROPA STARS VOLUME 2 would let the best MSMEs success stories shine bright and encourage other MSMEs throughout the other regions in the country, to replicate MIMAROPA’s outstanding MSMEs’ practices and even improve on them.

Let the true stars of MIMAROPA reveal the inspiring stories of their entrepreneurial achievements.

Read on and be inspired!

Again, congratulations to hte DOST family and God bless us all!

HON. ALFONSO V. UMALI, JR.

Today as we embrace the inevitable modernization and globalization, preserving the natural identity of our country for the next generation is indeed a national concern. Thus, opportunities and possibilities brought

by innovations and science interventions have taken us far beyond where we started.

The success stories of SETUP-Assisted and Community-Based Projects show not only the journey of how the 20 stars in the region level up with the help of DOST-MIMAROPA’s Assistance but of how Science and Technology inspire people and other entrepreneurs to make their own lights brighter and prepare their paths for the future.

The power of local technology likewise encourages other related enterprises to create programs and measures for growth and development in the countryside. In a short period of five years, we are proud that DOST-MIMAROPA

has been able to produce strong partnership with other service providers in attaining the region’s accomplishments.

May the stars featured in this volume continue to serve as inspiration to other MSMEs in the region to fly higher and strive harder to achieve their aspirations through science and technology.

HON. PAULINO SALVADOR C. LEACHON

MESSAGE FROM THE 1st district representativeOriental Mindoro

MESSAGE FROM THE 2nd District RepresentativeOriental Mindoro

My warmest greetings and congratulations to the Department of Science and Technology – MIMAROPA for publishing your Volume 2 of MIMAROPA STARS.

Indeed, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) account for over 99% of all business establishments and are therefore an increasingly dominant form of business organization in the country. These enterprises also constitute to almost 70% of the total employment. Therefore, not only are these the main drivers of growth and job creation, but more importantly an effective tool for poverty alleviation and overall innovation.

Being the backbone of the Philippine economy, the national government through the Department of Science and Technology has been continuously supporting the MSMEs through several package of science and technology (S&T) intervention in the form of innovation systems, technical and consultancy

services, enhancement of label design and product packaging, product development and standardization.

The MIMAROPA STARS Vol. 2.0 is not just a compendium of success stories of DOST assisted MSMEs and community based Projects in the region but more so is a byproduct of a fruitful partnership between the MSMEs and the Department of Science and Technology. It is resounding evidence that when two institutions work in harmony for a common goal, you produce stars.

Allow me to congratulate all the successful entrepreneurs that have been elevated to a higher stance especially my kababayans from Oriental Mindoro. It delights me to know that my vision of creating a sustainable inclusive growth and competitiveness in the Second District is slowly being realized through the assistance of the Regional Office of the DOST.

May the MIMAROPA STARS shine ever so brightly on other aspiring entrepreneurs and start up businesses and inspire them to take another step in realizing their dream with the help of science and technology.

HON. REYNALDO V. UMALI

The MIMAROPAns, in partnership with DOST, have always been welcoming advancement in science and technology to promote innovation, world class competitiveness and progress to its people. We all say that knowledge

is power, and through science it is embodied. This is evident in the efforts of DOST and its programs all around the country. Man is always on the lookout for new ways of growing crops, fishes, and creating products. These successful DOST-funded projects achieved its mandate not only to help people be more productive but also encourage them to be more creative and be curious about how things work.

Promoting the use of brand new technologies is a must nowadays as the world is rapidly progressing. Simple improvements in how we do our work can drastically improve our daily lives. MIMAROPA has been developing new ideas and techniques to make lives of the Filipinos in the area more productive and

progressive.

Let’s show the country that our region is doing its part in building a more dynamic and efficient workforce by developing these kinds of technologies that will surely benefit all in the long run.

Good luck to DOST-MIMAROPA!

Mabuhay ang MIMAROPA!

HON. CARMENCITA O. REYES

MESSAGE FROM THE GovernorMarinduque

MESSAGE FROM THE Lone District RepresentativeMarinduque

Science is a fact of life and a medium of innovation. Without knowing how things work, we would not know how to make things better for all mankind. How do we make processes run faster, run smoother, or be

more productive? For this reason, investing in scientific research and modern technology is a must for all countries. Even the simplest innovation can go a long way when given the proper support and attention.

That is why in cooperation with DOST-MIMAROPA, Marinduque is now ready to embrace technology and keep up with its rapid pace. With the Department’s help, it can bring fresh knowledge and brand new ideas to encourage our good people to be competitive and to improve on their techniques and expertise.

The curiosity of mankind has always been the drive of the DOST in supporting the innovative minds of our kababayans. I envision Marinduque and the rest of the region to become world renowned in the field of science and

technology, and I commend the Department for its commitment and efforts to bring more opportunities for progress to my beloved province and the whole MIMAROPA.

May God continue to bless MIMAROPA.

Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

HON. REGINA O. REYES

MESSAGE FROM THE GovernorRomblon

The growth of the economy of any country is determined by the presence of economic activities that Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs undertake. This is true also to Local Government Units where development

thrusts are anchored on the enhancement of livelihood projects of constituents with the assistance of LGU’s, PO’s, NGA’s, NGO’s and other financing institutions.

The Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) assisted projects in Romblon have helped a lot in upgrading the facilities, technical know-how as well as the quality of products of MSMEs in the province which augur well for the upcoming ASEAN integration.

The compilation in a book form of the success stories of our entrepreneurs entitled MIMAROPA STARS will surely serve as inspiration for them to strive more. On its second book, the publication testifies that more MSMEs are leveling

up as a result of the DOST innovation system support provided them. It is my fervent hope that more editions would come up.

Congratulations!

HON. EDUARDO C. FIRMALO, M.D.

MESSAGE FROM THE Lone District RepresentativeRomblon

I convey my warmest greetings to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-MIMAROPA Family!

The DOST has been an active player in the development of our society. This Second Publication of MIMAROPA Stars substantiates its impressive contributions to our micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in the entire region. New innovations are introduced; new ideas are explored.

“Kudos” to everyone and may this publication serve as a guide and inspire each of us to advance the interest of the people we serve!

God bless everyone!

HON. ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA

MESSAGE FROM THE GovernorPalawan

My warmest congratulations to the men and women of DOST-MIMAROPA for coming up with the second edition of MIMAROPA Stars!

Thru the MIMAROPA Stars, you are able to share many successful projects and unique experiences of clients assisted through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and community-based projects of the DOST-MIMAROPA.

I commend your efforts to lift up the competitive spirits of MIMAROPA Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Moreover, I salute you for providing programs and services that promote and utilize appropriate technologies to enhance productivity, social equity and sustainability. All of these efforts bring you to your mission, to spur regional development through science and technology.

Once again, congratulations and may you continue to fuel the fire of these MSMEs to compete, survive and become relevant despite the challenges of economic and trade integration.

Mabuhay kayong lahat!

HON. JOSE CH. ALVAREZ

MESSAGE FROM THE 1st District RepresentativePalawan

It is with pride and exultation that I greet and congratulate DOST-MIMAROPA for coming up with a second edition of MIMAROPA Stars. Indeed, outstanding and exemplary Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) deserve to

be recognized for they had been the silent engine of economic growth. They generate much needed income and employment especially in the rural areas; and during economic downturns their resilience often cushion the lower sector of society.

MSMEs, as economic units that help create wealth, are widely distributed in the country from the most cosmopolitan urban center to the most remote villages in the countryside. Their immense contributions to the economy cannot be ignored as more than 99 percent of business enterprise operation in the Philippines are of micro, small and medium size. They manufacture and sell almost any imaginable kind of product.

DOST-MIMAROPA move not only to support their development and growth, but to recognize the outstanding MSMEs who equally deserve commendation and praise. This edition wherein the best of MIMAROPA entrepreneurs are featured and publicized will surely inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs to excel, make profit, and make it big in the domestic or even international economic arena. The stars, I believe, serve an important notice for the rest of the entrepreneurs that they will have to innovate, adopt new technologies, embrace new business paradigm or else they will sink in the rough seas of global competition with ASEAN 2015 looming at the horizon. The message is clear—innovate or perish.

HON. FRANZ E. ALVAREZ

MESSAGE FROM THE 2nd District RepresentativePalawan

Warm greetings from South Palawan!

It is a privilege to be a part of the MIMAROPA STARS Publication, with the production of its second edition. I commend the Department

of Science and Technology–MIMAROPA for giving special attention to and creatively celebrating the accomplishments of the notable Micro Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) of our region. It is not unknown to us that MSM Enterprises are crucial in the decrease of poverty incidences not only in Region IV-B but also in other regions in the entire Philippines. In encouraging and recognizing the success of MSMEs, we maintain a sense of optimism and trust in their abilities to pursue projects they are passionate about.

These projects will eventually provide more opportunities for our constituents and will considerably increase the employment rate and wealth of Region IV-B.

As the Representative of the Second District of Palawan, I am one with DOST in the pursuit of economic development through utilizing our Science and Technology resources. We continuously coordinate with our fellow congressmen to legislate appropriate policies like the House Bill 4530 entitled, “An Act Establishing and Providing for Free College Education in Information and Communications Technology in State Colleges and Universities and Appropriating Funds Therefor.” Scholarship programs in higher education, technical education and skills training through partner institutions, Palawan State University (PSU), Western Philippines University (WPU), Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trade (PPSAT), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are also provided for by our office.

It is my prayer that we will be able to initiate more programs and policies concerning the improvement of our country’s Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprise sector. Let us be partners towards reducing and eliminating poverty in our region through the active participation of MSMEs. Again, congratulations and Mabuhay po kayo!

HON. FREDERICK F. ABUEG

MESSAGE FROM THE 3rd District RepresentativePalawan

Micro, Small, and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) are rapidly multiplying in our district—enriching the economic growth, not only for the 3rd District of Palawan, but also for the entire province of Palawan. It is a

great joy and pride to have MSMEs from Palawan featured in the MIMAROPA Stars which is a publication that lauds successful entrepreneurs who adopt the technology that the Department of Science and Technology MIMAROPA (DOST-MIMAROPA) has provided them. I congratulate our provincial office and also the regional office of the Department of Science and Technology for being a part of the MSMEs development and success.

With the start of the ASEAN integration this coming 2015, our MSMEs need the assistance of our government to be competitive amidst the arrival of foreign goods in our local markets. Technology is definitely needed by our MSMEs in order to cope with the constant change of trends in the market. Improved and

effective packaging and labeling will indeed be very helpful for our MSMEs to be able to compete with the attractive packaging of the products from South East Asia. Equipment that will increase the productivity and quality of the MSMEs products will also contribute in the competitiveness of our local products. Through the help of the different agencies and local government unit in our province, the MSMEs will surely be able to compete once the ASEAN integration is realized next year.

HON. DOUGLAS S. HAGEDORN

AcknOwledgments

Two years after the maiden issue of MIMAROPA Stars, a compilation of success stories of SETUP-assisted and community-based projects, we have finally completed MIMAROPA Stars Volume II!

This labor of love—the sweet fruit of our efforts—would not have been possible if not for the inestimable and continued support and contributions from everyone who has been with us since the first volume.

To the DOST top management led by the honorable Secretary Mario G. Montejo and our Undersecretary for Regional Operations Dr. Carol M. Yorobe for the steadfast and inspiring leadership that motivates us to always deliver the best public service we can give—anchored in the principles of science, technology, and innovation—to those we serve in the MIMAROPA Region.

To the Local Government Units in MIMAROPA—from the Provincial Governments, Offices of District Representatives, City Governments, and Municipal Governments—as well as partner government agencies, the academe, and other key industry stakeholders, words alone seem not enough to justify our utmost gratitude for your generosity and solicitousness in support of our programs, projects, and services.

To the rest of our DOST family, our warmest appreciation for the outstanding dedication and support for all our endeavors.

To our clients, what more can we say? You are the stars! You are our inspiration and the reason for all the work we do. We have said it before and we will say it again, “Your success is our success.”

Truly, no challenge—whether social or economic—is insurmountable when we all work together and help each other.

Thank you!

PROCESSED FOODCatering to Fish Paste and Sauce Lovers

El Carlo Food Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Cake Outbreak! Celebrations Get Sweeter

Chariz Cakes and Party Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Chippin’ In, Chippin’ Out… Goin’ Greasy Fryin’ Bananas

Mikko Banana Crackers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34No Ordinary Taste of 3 Sisters’ Banana Chips

3 Sisters’ Homemade Banana Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37‘Dilis’-ciously Vacuum-fried

Balanacan Multi-Sectoral Credit Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Sweet-Sour Taste of Success

Hayn’s Homemade Sampalok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Mastering the Nuts and Bottles of a Peanut Butter Business

Bacabac Homemade Peanut Butter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45A Success Measured by a Peanut Butter Maker

Alonda’s Food Ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47The Product of a Eureka Moment

Rojem’s Homemade Candy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

METALS and ENGINEERINGBended Towards Success

Rhenn Welding Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Pieces of Dreams Welded Up

Aquel’s Iron Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54From Scraps to Riches

Darnel’s Iron Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Pioneering Work Pays Off

SMS Machine Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Taming the Tiger Grass

Romblon State University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60A Risk Worth Taking

ARMAC Auto Repair and Machine Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

GIFTS, DÉCORS and HOUSEWARESWeaving The Future The Waygan Way

Mansalay Corn-based Farmer-Scientists Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65A Brighter Future with Candle Lights

Social Action Commission-Batayang Pamayanang Kristiyano Sta. Cruz Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

AGRICULTURE (Postharvest)A Brighter Shade of Pale

LMG Rice Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Thriving Business for the Triviños

Triviño Rice Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

FURNITUREThe Wooden Resurrection

Resurreccion N. Polinag Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

OTHER PRIORITY SECTORRelief from Artificial Reef

Ragasras Dungon Association, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81Ta

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ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian NationsBPKI Brooke’s Point Kitchen IncubatorCEST Community Empowerment through Science and TechnologyDA Department of AgricultureDOLE Department of Labor and EmploymentDOST Department of Science and TechnologyDTI Department of Trade and IndustryFAD Finance and Administrative DivisionFDA Food and Drug AdministrationGIA Grants-in-AidGMP / cGMP Good Manufacturing Practices / current Good Manufacturing PracticesGPS Global Positioning SystemITDI Industrial Technology Development InstituteLGU Local Government UnitMIG / MAG (welding) Metal Inert Gas / Metal Active GasMIMAROPA Mindoro (Occidental and Oriental), Marinduque, Romblon, and PalawanMIRDC Metals Industry Research and Development CenterMPDC Municipal Planning and Development CenterMPEX Manufacturing Productivity ExtensionMSC Marinduque State CollegeMSMEs Micro, Small, and Medium EnterprisesNGA National Government AgencyNGO Non-Governmental OrganizationsNPMO National Project Management OfficePO Provincial OfficePPSAT Puerto Princesa School of Arts and TradePSTC Provincial Science and Technology CenterPSTD Provincial Science and Technology DirectorPSU Palawan State UniversityPTRI Philippine Textile Research InstituteRTEC Regional Technical Evaluation CommitteeRSU Romblon State UniversitySEAMEO Southeast Asian Ministers of Education OrganizationSETUP Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading ProgramTESDA Technical Education and Skills Development AuthorityTIG (welding) Tungsten Inert GasTSD Technical Services DivisionWPU Western Philippines University

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Processed Food

28 | MIMAROPA Stars Volume II — Success Stories of SETUP-assisted and Community-based Projects MIMAROPA Stars Volume II — Success Stories of SETUP-assisted and Community-based Projects | 29

CATERING TO FISH PASTE AND SAUCE LOVERSEl Carlo Food Products, Occidental MindoroBy Maria Ethelwilda G. Coronacion

Catering, the business of providing food service at a remote site or a site such as a hotel or any other location, developed the entrepreneurial skills of the owner of El Carlo Food Products.

Learning to Cater to Success

Lidio Garduce Oane Jr., fondly called Dayong by his family and friends, was still a student of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) in 1992 when he started as a dishwasher at the Franzen Catering Services based in Quezon City. He learned the tricks of the trade by making himself available in every task and for every engagement their firm went into. Soon his bosses realized his potential and entrusted him to run the business. This would be short-lived though as the firm folded up after two years.

Dayong went on to work as Captain Waiter at Tamayo’s Catering. He was later promoted to Catering Supervisor and worked “on call” for other firms such as Anna’s Catering, and Albergur’s Catering. After learning all that he needs to know and with a capitalization of PhP 15,000.00, which was given by his mother, he mustered enough courage to open his own catering firm in 1995 which he named Oriental Village Catering Services based in Project 2, Quezon City. With no formal restaurant to boast of, Dayong utilized promotion in the Buy and Sell Magazine as a strategy to advertise his services. He also took the calls of customers who were satisfied with his services. These customers referred him to other contacts thus, his list of clients grew in time. His catering services was a profitable enterprise

El Carlo Food Products’ fish sauce or “patis” (left), and fish paste or “bagoong” (right)

Mr.Lidio G. Oane, Jr., proprietor of El Carlo Food Products, in his production area with the Stainless Steel High Capacity Power Mixer and Fermentation Vats.

and was doing fine at the start but Dayong eventually closed it down during the economic slump in 1997 when a lot of small businesses folded up.

Catering to his Hometown

Dayong decided to return to his hometown in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and got married in the year 2000. Sablayan is the fourth biggest municipality in the Philippines, with land area twice as big as the province of Cavite, and Dayong was hopeful that his beloved town will give him good business opportunities. A small goto-mami eatery/carinderia at the Sablayan Public Market was later established which was immediately patronized by local clients. Before long, the enterprise provided catering services which gave rise to “Food Court Catering Services”. His services became in-demand in various events since customers saw his superior services and excellent table set-up and design. The growing market shortly demanded more skilled workforce but the available skilled staff soon became a problem and caused stress to Dayong who has to multi-task to provide quality catering services during an event. In time, he realized that catering business in the province was seasonal and had lean months from July to October. Compelled to sustain his monthly operations, he decided to do something about the situation. Dayong with his entrepreneurial spirit and determination opted to shift gear.

Catering to a New Venture

It was at the time when Dayong was looking for another source of income when his friend who has a trucking business encouraged him to engage in fish paste and sauce production to be sold on wholesale basis for Manila

Bottled patis-bagoong of El Carlo Food Products ready for market outlet distribution


and Pangasinan buyers. Dayong pulled out from his savings and invested a starting amount of PhP 20,000.00 for the new venture. Dayong found himself fermenting and selling fish paste and sauce in drums to wholesale buyers. Later, he realized that there was more profit in bottling fish paste and sauce and selling it to the different barangays and municipalities within the province. Thus, he started to focus on his fish paste and sauce business using the profit he earned from his catering business as additional capital for the bottling of fish paste and sauce. He used his existing closed van for the distribution of bottled fish paste and sauce to distant market areas located in other municipalities. He named his business “El Carlo Food Products” after his only child, Carlo.

Dayong learned from the PSTD in one forum that DOST offers technical assistance through SETUP and soon signified his intention to apply. He requested for assistance for the improvement of the fish sauce and paste production process through the acquisition of heavy duty grinding machine, high capacity power mixer (stainless), stainless tank mixers, fermentation vats, and packaging materials. In June 2012, El Carlo was granted the innovation system support worth PhP 530,580.00.

With the SETUP intervention the firm realized improvements in its processes. The usual manual mixing of fish and salt utilizing five (5) persons could only produce 800 kilograms in an hour. The current output is 2000 kilograms in an hour and utilizing only three (3) persons.

The heavy duty grinding machine also increased production by coming out with 192 liters per hour from the usual 120 liters—a 60% increase. A 5hp gasoline engine provides the primemover even during brownouts.

For consistency of product Dayong mixes the paste in a stainless tank mixer every week. The current output for this process is 18 drums in an hour, whereas in the old days this usually took half a day to finish. The drudgery was taken out from the process, leading the firm to effectively utilize its manpower for other purposes to improve the productivity even more. Dayong now focuses on the retail of his products where several workers are engaged to pack the product in individual bottles, attach the labels, caps and seals, and pack them in bundles of 12. This retailing option further increased the firm’s margins by 50% and enabled it to reach out to its outlets in the southern part of the province and remote barangays.

The provision of the equipment also guarantees El Carlo’s clients with safe and clean bagoong and patis. The fermentation vats provided from SETUP support also greatly reduced infestation and contamination. It is by all means that SETUP and Dayong’s early experience with the catering business that his penchant for quality product became his hallmark.

The stainless tank mixer facility contributed to the improved production process of the firm.

Aside from using concrete fermentation vats and plastic container drums, El Carlo Food Products also uses stainless steel vats for fish fermentation

Cake Outbreak! Celebrations Get SweeterChariz Cakes and Party Balloons, Occidental MindoroBy Maria Ethelwilda G. Coronacion

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too” is a popular English proverb which literally means you cannot enjoy both of two desirable but mutually exclusive alternatives. Interestingly,

however, Ms Jennifer Cometa, owner of Chariz Cakes and Party Balloons, can do just that with the success of her cake making and party needs business.

Sweet Start

Jenny received her diploma as a nurse and got married right after graduation. She and her husband, Manny, lived at her mother’s house where she bore three (3) babies one after the other. Her mother wanted to help them put up their own business and had Jenny enlisted among the participants in the Training on Baking sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Jose in 2006. She even bought Jenny a small oven after the training to help her start a small business. From savings amounting to PhP 1,500.00, Jenny soon applied what she learned from the baking class with the assistance of Manny. They baked using the hand mixer given by Jenny’s aunt, baking cups given by a cousin, and icing tips from another aunt. The couple delivered cupcake products to kakanin stalls at the San Jose Public Market on consignment basis. She sold the cupcakes at PhP 5.00 per piece while the vendors added two to three pesos to the price, which they sell in retail. From a daily production of 100 cupcakes, Jenny was able to increase production to 500 cupcakes in about six (6) months as she started supplying the local school canteens. At about the same time, Jenny started accepting made-to-order birthday, wedding, and anniversary cakes, which broadened her customer base. Soon her cakes became well-known and popularly sought after in San Jose due to its delectable taste, texture, and colourful mouth-watering appearance. Because of this, Jenny was even more motivated to improve her baking skills since her cakes have been favourably endorsed and referred to by her customers to other friends and relatives.

Bittersweet Success

She initially labelled her products as Jenny’s Cakes and other customers suggested that she also offer other party needs such as balloons, clowns, as well as rented tables and chairs. With the increasing orders, the couple found themselves needing additional capital and were forced to borrow money from lenders with interests

A sampling of Chariz’s sweetly sumptuous baked products


as high as ten percent (10%) per month. As the business grew, Jenny decided to register the enterprise as “Chariz Cakes and Party Balloons”.

Meanwhile, DOST-MIMAROPA, through its Provincial Science and Technology Center in Occidental Mindoro, visited and encouraged her to avail of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) to enhance her productivity and market competitiveness through technology upgrading. Jenny could not believe at first that there was such a dependable program which can provide interest-free technology acquisition. It took DOST-MIMAROPA a few more visits before Jenny finally decided to avail of the program.

Sweeter By the Dozen

In September 2008, DOST-MIMAROPA granted Jenny PhP 188,500.00 worth of SETUP Innovation System Support which enabled her to upgrade her baking equipment. With this assistance, Jenny no longer needed to borrow from loan sharks. She was able to upgrade her oven, mixer, moulder, and other baking equipment which made her cakes all the more appealing. Thus, she was able to satisfy the needs and requirements of her growing market for cupcakes and birthday cakes on a daily basis. The increasing demand of her regular customers prompted her to add other products and services by offering balloons and other party needs to complement her baking business. The Jollibee branch in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, which opened in August 2008, also contacted Jenny for their party cakes, and she has been supplying Jollibee with cakes since then.

It did not take long for Jenny to open her first outlet at the New Hap Seng Suki Mart on Rizal Street, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro in October 2009 to widen distribution and cater to the escalating demand of walk-in customers. The outlet has since performed well in terms of sales and gained more customers from local residents of the different municipalities of the province and to the adjacent Municipality of Bulalacao, a neighboring town in the province of Oriental Mindoro.

Market outlet of Chariz Cakes and Party Balloons, located along Lakandula St., Barangay 3, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Sweeter the Second Time Around

Jenny was able to give back the full refund of the SETUP assistance on time. She opted to apply for another round of SETUP support for new and attractive packaging and process upgrading which was favourably considered. On July 2012, PhP 394,000.00 was released to the firm.

Chariz Cakes and Party Balloons was also a beneficiary of the Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) Program, which further improved her production operation and market competitiveness. Conscious of the need to adopt what was recommended to her during the MPEX consultation, she is restricted working in her small kitchen. Jenny maximizes her working space at the moment. She looks forward, however, to a more spacious working area, improved production system including lay-out to facilitate efficient work flow to a new location in the near future. Nonetheless, Jenny conscientiously implements food safety standards in her effort to maintain good manufacturing practices (GMP) in her operations.

For now, Chariz Cakes and Party Balloons continue to offer its celebrating customers with cakes and pastries in various flavors and designs. Indeed, success is sweet and sweeter the second time around!

A worker prepares to package a cake, while the other worker puts the finishing touches on another.

Spreading icing on the cake


Chippin’ In, Chippin’ Out...Goin’ Greasy Fryin’ BananasMikko Banana Crackers, Oriental MindoroBy Jesse M. Pine

Saba banana (Musa sp.) is one of the major fruits of commerce in the country. It occupies 187,423 hectares with a production volume of 2.6M metric tons in 2012. The MIMAROPA Region contributed almost 4.75% of the national production volume or 125,673MT in the same year with Oriental Mindoro having the biggest

production at 102,238MT or 81% of the region’s total output (DA-BAS, 2012).

Among the municipalities in Oriental Mindoro which had the largest production are Naujan, Pola, Victoria, Bansud, Pinamalayan, and Bongabong (PAgO, 2012).

Early Goin’s

It was almost two (2) decades ago, when PSTC-Oriental Mindoro through then PSTD Christine M. Pine, met the owners of Mikko Banana Crackers (MBC), Mr. Benjamin Esclanda, Jr. and wife Eloisa. The couple, fondly called as Dayo and Isai by friends, relatives, and regular customers, spent precious time in the initial start-up of the firm’s operations in 1996 in Brgy. Wawa, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.

The firm is engaged in the production of sweetened banana chips. It started as a small processing plant in the couple’s house initially with two (2) workers and start-up capital of PhP 20,000.00. They delivered their products using their tricycle in groceries in Calapan, Pinamalayan and nearby towns in the province on consignment basis. This was the same vehicle they used to buy ‘saba’ from nearby barangays.

Crisp, delicious banana crackers ready for selling!

In the latter part of 1990s, DOST-Oriental Mindoro and the DOST-ITDI Food Processing Division conducted training sessions on the production of banana chips, banana strings, and cassava chips flavored with cheese, barbecue, and garlic. This was done to develop complementary or allied products that will utilize locally-available raw materials, add value to the lowly cassava, create an opportunity for employment and income, and offer alternative products other than banana chips. To complement the technology assistance provided by DOST, the PSTC assisted the firm to tap the LGU for supplemental funds amounting to PhP 100,000.00 to provide other critical needs of the enterprise which included efficient and GMP-compliant production accessories, and appropriate packaging to prolong product shelf-life and attractive label design. The intervention significantly increased the profitability of the enterprise and remarkably widened its market reach to mainstream outlets in Calapan City. The frequent bulk deliveries necessitated the procurement of a delivery van in addition to their tricycle.

Tried and Tested by Time

The enterprise took an awkward turn of events in the early part of 2000 because of the opportunity for the couple and their children to migrate to another country through Isai’s sister. Dayo for his part, decided to transfer the technology he developed to an investor who is willing to pay him a bigger salary as the production supervisor, while waiting for the big day to come. However, the plan did not materialize for some reasons, and Dayo then decided to revive the enterprise. Recouping his lost opportunity and with the rise of the business in mind, they moved from Pinamalayan to Brgy. Catiningan, Socorro in 2006 and rented a temporary facility to finally relentlessly pursue the banana chips business.

It’s Reapin’ Time

The business became more stable when they established their own processing facility in that same barangay in 2009. Dayo no longer went to barangays to buy bananas, but instead he established a network of farmer-suppliers.

Mikko Banana Crackers’ pasalubong store located along the Strong Republic Nautical Hi-way in Brgy.Catiningan, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro


They individually deliver the raw materials to the processing plant along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. The firm also put up a Pasalubong Center in the area for travelers going to Panay Island from Metro Manila and vice-versa.

The growing local demand prompted the firm to seek DOST assistance to further enhance product quality through efficient production accessories to upgrade its processing operations. Another critical need is the provision of appropriate packaging to make the products more appealing and competitive, both in the local and foreign markets. The firm decided to apply for SETUP technological assistance amounting to PhP 190,000.00 The support came in 2011.

MBC is a consistent Trade Fair exhibitor both in the province and elsewhere in the National Capital Region. Isai also attended various DOST-assisted training such as GMP and Food Safety and Packaging and Labeling. In 2011, the firm became a consultancy assistance recipient through MPEX through DOST-TAPI. With the consultancy engagement, MBC instituted reforms in the business especially in the layout of the production area, and facilitation of workers’ acquisition of knowledge on GMP and Food Safety. To date signage, in compliance to GMP, were conspicuously-posted inside the processing plant. Proper worker garments and areas designated to different activities were provided.

In 2011, they started to construct their residential house at the back of the processing facility, a fitted and decent abode for a risen banana chips producer in the province.

In 2013, the firm chalked up a 14.06% increase in sales from the 2012 figures. Average employment was recorded at 17 direct workers; before SETUP intervention it was only 10.

Rememberin’ the Time

Dayo still recalls the time when he delivered his products and waited for the grocery owner to hand him the payment. As a small-time food processor, those meager sales were needed immediately to sustain operations for the following day as his workers were paid on a daily basis. “It was really difficult then, we have to fend for ourselves against the whims of our market. Now, we don’t have to wait for the cash since we can give our customers monthly terms or even longer. We pay our workers on time even if we have accounts receivables. We are very much grateful to God for this lowly business has given us fortune, the DOST for continuously assisting us technically, our buyers, workers, and suppliers who were here with us through thick and thin,” said the Esclanda couple.

Spouses Isai and Dayo are all smiles with their banana crackers.

A worker straining the excess oil from the just-fried banana crackers

A worker using an impulse sealer to package the banana crackers

No Ordinary Taste of 3 Sisters’ Banana Chips3 Sisters’ Homemade Banana Chips, MarinduqueBy Bernardo T. Caringal and Eleazar P. Manaog

MINE out... Gold in…

The family business on the production of banana chips was established out of necessity when Mr. Jose Rivadeneira, also known as Ka Jose, was

retrenched from the Marcopper Mining Corporation in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque in 1995. The mining firm was forced to cease its operations due to a mine tailings leak incident that contaminated the Boac River basin. After attending trainings conducted by different institutions for the benefit of displaced miners, Mr. Rivadeneira and his wife Adela considered venturing into the banana chips production because banana was locally available and the production was quite simple. The 3 Sisters’ Homemade Banana Chips started its operations in the couple’s house in Brgy. Bangcuangan, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque using a portion of the separation pay received by Ka Jose. He took care of sourcing raw materials while Adela took care of the cooking.

Their children Rosita, Rowena, Joel, and Rose Ann, although attending primary school at that time, were actively helping their parents in packing and selling their banana chips in their school. According to Ka Adela, “Malaki ang naitulong na maaga silang namulat sa banana chips project ng aming pamilya, kasi hanggang sa ngayon na nakatapos na sila ng pag-aaral ay patuloy pa rin sila sa pagtulong sa pag-pack at pag-market.” For Ka Jose, “Blessing in disguise yung pagkaalis ko sa minahan. Ngayon kasi, eh, may golden banana chips kami na nakapagbibigay ng maayos na kita.”

Endorsed by DOST Champion

Formerly, about 75% of the 3 Sisters’ Homemade Banana Chips production was supplied to Rejano’s Bakery which happens to be owned and operated by Mrs. Carmelita Rejano Reyes (KaMita). KaMita is considered by the PSTC-Marinduque as a DOST champion because of her contributions to the

Homemade goodness of 3 Sisters Banana Chips

Crunchy fried bananas straight out of the pan


promotion of DOST programs particularly SETUP, herself continuously being assisted by DOST-MIMAROPA under the program.

With the consistent quality of the 3 Sisters’ Homemade Banana Chips and based on the high demand at Rejano’s outlets, Ka Mita advised both Ka Jose and Ka Adela to upgrade production capabilities and to visit the PSTC-Marinduque office and apply for the SETUP innovation system support for the purpose.

Wrapped-up with technology

The PSTC saw the potential of the project and lost no time in conducting the Technology Needs Assessment. PSTC personnel saw the need for new packaging, packaging equipment and other productivity enhancing interventions like productivity consultancy, manpower training, and conformance to GMP in the shop floor.

3 Sisters’ Homemade Banana Chips proprietor, Mr. Jose R. Rivadeneira (foreground, right), with DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director Dr. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay (foreground, center) and Provincial S&T Director Bernardo T. Caringal (foreground, left) at the banana chips processing facility in Bangcuangan, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque

With the speedy response of PSTC Marinduque to the application for assistance by the 3 Sisters’ Homemade Banana Chips, the prompt review of RTEC and the positive endorsement of the MIMAROPA Regional Director, the project was approved for SETUP assistance by the NPMO. Acquisition of Continuous Horizontal Band Sealer, Packaging and Label Execution and Product Testing/Analysis amounting to PhP 300,000.00 was granted in 2012.

The market competitiveness of the product was improved by the functional packaging and label design. Shelf-life was also improved and breakage was reduced to minimum with the provision of plastic stand-up pouches and box packaging materials. Rejects were reduced from 2% before packaging assistance to 0.33% with the new packaging, or from 5 packs of 200g each to 1 pack (200g); savings in reduced rejects was valued at PhP192.00 per month. More importantly, the product became another one of the many products endorsed by the Provincial Government as Marinduque’s Best Pasalubong due to its very good packaging.

To ensure food safety of the product, the cooperator attended the seminar on Food Safety and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) sponsored and organized by DOST. From the knowledge gained, the owners used part of their savings for the construction of a separate processing center which conforms with the basic requirement of cGMP. The change in plant layout was also in consonance with the recommendations by MPEx consultants which conducted consultancy services for the firm. The MPEx program assists micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector to attain higher productivity through improvements in the flow of operations of the firm. The program enabled the firm to increase productivity with the introduction of systematic and organized production systems. A seminar on Technopreneurship further enhanced the firm’s competitiveness.

The impact of DOST intervention can be summarized by the increase in the daily production volume from 1,000 pieces of raw banana to 2,300 pieces. At present, the firm is realizing an average increase in productivity of 73.42% compared to before SETUP intervention. They now employ a total of 10 workers, and indirectly gave employment to five (5) banana farmers supplying the raw materials.

Smooth Sailing

Now, about 30% of production is being shipped to manila twice a week. The remaining 70% is a favorite snack food consumed locally and made as “pasalubong” by local travellers. In fact, most of the stores in Balanacan and Cawit ports carry the 3 Sisters’ product.

With the success the firm is currently enjoying, the firm is planning to acquire a mechanized slicer (again through SETUP) to double their production capacity and to enable them to cater to the increasing demand for their products.

A worker uses an impulse sealer to package the banana chips Continuous horizontal band sealer acquired through DOST’s SETUP assistance


‘DILIS’-Ciously Vacuum-FriedBalanacan Multi-Sectoral Credit Cooperative, MarinduqueBy Bernardo T. Caringal

Vacuum-fried dilis (anchovies) produced by Balanacan Multi-Sectoral Credit Cooperative from Mogpog, Marinduque. The product packaging, as well as the label design was provided by DOST-MIMAROPA.

Convincing the planners

When Mr. Jaime Manoos, the head of Municipal Planning and Development Center (MPDC) of Mogpog, Marinduque visited the DOST PSTC Marinduque and inquired about bankable projects that would be sustainable, the Provincial Science and Technology Director (PSTD) saw this as an opportunity to discuss

the “new to the world” product concept constantly reminded by the DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director, Dr. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay. The MPDC head wondered what could be new to the world using the usual resources of the island like fish and agricultural commodities. The PSTD, however, countered that a commodity as plain as dilis (dried anchovies) may be made new to the world by using new technology in processing. Dilis, which is abundantly caught in Marinduque almost half of the year and processed into bagoong or as dried dilis, would be made new to the world if vacuum frying could be introduced into its value addition process. With vacuum frying, a healthier food product could be made which may command a higher value for the lowly commodity usually sold to bagoong processors in Balayan, Batangas and in Pangasinan.

The PSTD further discussed the vacuum frying technology developed by DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Food Processing Division. The DOST-ITDI-designed vacuum fryer is a deep-frying device housed inside a vacuum chamber and developed for frying fruits, vegetables, root crops, shellfish and other marine products using low-fat vegetable oils. This vacuum fryer reduces fat absorption by as much as 42%, preserves natural color and flavors of the product and has less adverse effect on oil quality. With those positive attributes

of the technology, Mr. Manoos was convinced and promised to include the project under the Bottoms Up Budgeting (BUB) and allotted PhP 1.3M for the construction of processing facility and provision of other project inputs.

With what transpired in the encounter, PSTD Bernardo T. Caringal immediately arranged with Engr. Norbert Ambagan of DOST-ITDI’s food processing division for possible sampling of vacuum fried dilis using their newly developed laboratory scale vacuum fryer. With the coordination of DOST-MIMAROPA, dilis was shipped from Marinduque, vacuum fried at ITDI, and shipped back for taste testing purposes.

Sampling the proposed new to the world product, it was not hard for Mayor Senen Livelo of Mogpog, Marinduque and Mr. Luis Evangelista of DOLE-Marinduque to be convinced. The strategy of “to see and to taste is to believe” used by the PSTD earned further assurances of budget counterparts from the municipal government and DOLE even if the proposal is yet to be written.

Finding the right project steward

The Balanacan Multi-Sectoral Credit Cooperative, composed of 84 members and chaired by Mr.Celso Quinto, was established and registered under CDA on July 2010 and accredited by DOLE in September 2013. The cooperative was eyed by PSTC Marinduque to undertake the project owing to its good track record in handling businesses. The chair was invited to the DOST PSTC office to discuss the idea of value addition to dilis with the use of the DOST-ITDI-designed vacuum fryer. Mr.Quinto was at once hooked with the plan and immediately called for a meeting with the members of the board of the cooperative, which also unanimously approved the acceptance of the project. The cooperative lost no time in coordinating with the Municipal Mayor, through the representation of Hon. Vice Mayor Roberto N. Narito, for the provision of lot and for the allotted construction of a cGMP-compliant processing center that would comply with standards of the FDA.

Representation was also made by the cooperative and project stakeholders to the office of Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for permit to utilize the site owned by the Provincial Government for construction purposes.

The DOST-ITDI-designed vacuum fryer

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo (left) checks out the vacuum fryer, as DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay looks on, during the Science Nation Tour held in the province of Marinduque from June 4 to 5, 2015.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-frying

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum


DOST Intervention

The proposal for the project was approved by DOST-MIMAROPA on May 2013. The cooperative was awarded with assistance amounting to PhP 465,000.00. The cooperative was able to purchase a two (2) kilogram-capacity, all stainless steel vacuum fryer, a stainless water tank to ensure the steady supply of water, and execution of functional packaging materials and label design. The vacuum fryer provided was the first commercial scale fryer developed by ITDI. The equipment was installed at the Marinduque State College meanwhile that the building to house operations was constructed.

For a complete package of assistance, training on the operation and maintenance of the vacuum fryer was conducted on Feb. 4, 2014 at the Marinduque State College (MSC) with technical staff from DOST-ITDI who served as resource persons. It was attended by 10 members of the cooperative, 4 faculty members of the MSC, and 10 food technology students. After the training the cooperative members at once embarked in the commercialization of the technology. A label was designed by the MIMAROPA in-house artist to complement the stand-up pouches provided to the cooperative.

The product, marketing and end-dilis hopes

Vacuum fried dilis is now produced by the cooperative at one of the buildings of the MSC. Its current production volume is 2,880 packs per month valued at PhP 57,600.00. The cooperative produces three variants – plain, spicy and barbecue flavours. The product is packed in foil stand up pouches and nicely labeled to attract customers. More importantly the cooperative is producing a healthy product targeted for all ages and health buffs. The process involved in production reduces the residual oil in the final product while retaining its natural color and flavour. Because of the low temperature needed for frying (approx. 130°C or 266°F), the formation of suspected the carcinogen acryl amide is significantly lower than in standard atmospheric fryers, where the frying temperature is approximately around 170°C (338°F). The product has become a common fare locally and has market presence in many stores around the island and in the ports of entry and exit. It had become another favourite pasalubong from Marinduque aside from the famous arrowroot cookies. The cooperative employs four (4) persons in production but the project indirectly benefits several fishermen and middlemen engaged in dilis capture and product retail, respectively.

The LGU Mogpog has high hopes for their healthy and “dilis-cious” product. Already, it envisions its production facility as a tourist drawer where visitors could view the production process and purchase the products. DOST-MIMAROPA could only thank such supportive stance.

Dilis fresh from the vacuum fryer

Sweet-Sour Taste of SuccessHayn’s Homemade Sampalok, RomblonBy Bilshan F. Servañez

If there were local producers in Romblon who staunchly believed that they could substitute products coming from the mainland Luzon and stop

them from coming, Maritess A. Fortaleza of Hayns Homemade Sampalok would be one of them. Early on in her business, this feisty lady entrepreneur was asking why sampalok (tamarind) candies are brought in to the province instead of being brought out. Tess learned sampalok candy making while making both ends meet in Manila where the family used to stay in the early years of their marriage. She came to a realization that she could also do the same in her hometown where sampalok trees abound and fruits are just eaten by bats or left to rot in the trees or on the ground during fruiting seasons.

The family transferred to Odiongan in 2003 and started a kitchen business of making sampalok candies. The product was readily accepted by the local market as it was no different from the sampalok candies coming in. The budding firm slowly gained foothold of the market in Odiongan as they could supply at a lower price year round. Raw material supply was not a problem for the firm as it buys enough stock to last for a year. Storage was perfected by the firm early on. They would pack airtight the sampalok fruit sans the pods in plastic sacks and secure the sacks from rodents and weevils. The natural acids in the fruit serve as preservatives so the firm enjoys a year round raw material supply. As the firm took over the Odiongan market it also planned to go Tablas-wide. There are nine (9) towns in Tablas Island that could also be supplied with sampalok candies. Thus, the firm contacted a roving store that delivers to other towns. The roving store would pick up the goods from the firm and deliver those to different stores around the island. Positive sales feedbacks from the delivery crew made the firm plan to increase production. They also eyed another candy — yema — that comes in from Batangas; so they learned to make yema and had it test marketed in Odiongan. Acceptance of the market of their product firmed up the firm’s plans of going large scale; yet the firm lacks the means to do so.

The spicy and regular variants of Hayn’s homemade tamarind (sampalok) candies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinogen

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Learning of the DOST SETUP assistance from the radio program of Project Gemini, Tess went to the PSTC in 2009 to inquire about the program. Hearing Tess’ plans and admiring the gumption of this lady, the PSTC lost no time in enrolling the firm for the SETUP assistance. Her project, as one of its kind in the province was readily accepted by the RTEC. The assistance was approved by the DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director for PhP 120,000.00 for the purchase of packaging materials and equipment for her intended production scale. With the assistance, the PSTC also designed a label for two (2) variants: regular and hot.

As the firm’s candies became popular among stores in the province, the firm started to hire additional workforce. From the former husband-and-wife workforce, they hired four (4) more employees to cook their candies and package them. From the kitchen, they extended their house to transfer their operations to a shed which was properly made to adhere to good manufacturing standards. The sink was stainless and the floor was tiled. Even the table was lined with a clean laminate. Workers were asked to wear face masks, hairnets and aprons while in the work area. With an organized production, the firm grew and supplied all of Tablas Island with all sampalok and yema candies that it demands. With the success of the firm, it was able to purchase a lot near a roadside, put up a house and a store and a new workplace. The new workplace is a bigger one and could accommodate the six (6) persons that the firm now employs.

With these new acquisitions, the firm still intended to produce other candy variants. Their capital was, however, drained by putting up the new work area. Having paid their first SETUP assistance, the firm applied for another one with the intent to mechanize candy production and add an oven for producing meringue and other baked candies. This second tranche of SETUP assistance was also recommended by the RTEC for approval. With the release of the second SETUP assistance amounted to PhP 365,560 in 2013 ,the firm was able to mechanize production of yema with a mechanical mixer-cooker. The firm was also able to produce meringue and pastillas and even intends to add other baked sweets to maximize use of its oven. The firm halted entirely the entry of yema and sampalok candies, meringue and pastillas in Tablas Island. It now supplies the island’s nine (9) municipalities with its products sent to various store owners through the delivery vans of two (2) mobile wholesale marketing firms. In 2013, the firm averaged monthly sales of PhP 389,400.00 and hit a 76% increase in productivity. The firm now hires six (6) regular employees and takes in two (2) more on peak demands. Labor is usually employed in cooking and wrapping the individual candies.

Yet the firm sets its sights on totally halting the entry of candies in the province and even supplying other provinces with her sweet creations. Tess hopes that someday she’ll have her own line of caramel candies that are produced in automated fashion from cooking up to wrapping. The PSTC could only support the dream of this lady and all other entrepreneurs in the province who want to have their own sweet-sour taste of success.

Workers rollin’ and packin’ the sweet-sour goodness of Hayn’s tamarind candies

Mastering the Nuts and Bottles of APeanut Butter BusinessBacabac Homemade Peanut Butter, PalawanBy Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo and Pacifico T. Sariego III

Peanuts are legumes that grow and thrive underneath the soil—tucked away from the air and sunlight. Despite the darkness of the

environment the peanuts live in, these precious legumes are actually like diamonds in the rough that should be pulled out and polished in order to shine brightly. True enough, peanuts need to be pulled out, cleaned, cooked, and occassionally processed in order to stand out as varieties of peanut products that range from roasted peanuts to peanut butter. This is actually similar to the experiences of Ms. Josephine D. Bacabac, owner of the Bacabac Home Peanut Butter, who pushed her way from the ground into the bright light of success and was polished even more to shine even brighter.

Pushing her way into the light

Ms. Josephine D. Bacabac started out as a part time kindergarten teacher in a public school near their house. Since she was only teaching half of the day, she started doing something worthwhile during her free time. She started making peanut butter in 1995 and sold it to her friends and colleagues at the school she works in. Every time her friends comment or suggest something regarding her product, she takes note of it in order to improve her product for the better. Later on, as the demand for her peanut butter increased, she sought the advice of the members of her religious group to improve her productivity.

Ms. Bacabac was struck by an inspiration that her business venture can achieve greater heights and wider reach when she attended several trainings and seminars initiated by government and non-government agencies regarding entrepreneurship. That is when her small endeavor became a serious business.

They created a work area attached to their house. The work area includes a small store and the production area. The roasting area is located near the house. For a certain period of time, they are processing the peanuts manually. First they would carefully handpicked peanuts of high quality and then sand roast the peanuts for 30 minutes. Their way of roasting the peanuts with sand actually adds a different but pleasant flavor to the peanut butter. After roasting, they wipe the carefully-picked peanuts before removing the skin. Then they would grind the peanuts with sugar using their own retrofitted grinding machine. The mixture of ground peanut and sugar will then be added with

Bacabac Homemade Peanut Butter are stored in sealed plastic jars to ensure product freshness.


margarine.Peanut butter is filled in plastic jars and sealed off. Packaging of the peanut butter is done manually which is time consuming thus slowing the speed of production.

Prior to DOST intervention, Bacabac Home Peanut Butter uses non-stainless steel tools and equipment which includes a wok (kawa), a stove, a retrofitted electric grinder and other accessories and tools for production. Using these equipment she can already produce 19,200 bottles of peanut butter per annum, which brings in an annual gross income of only PhP 860,000.00 However, to improve her business and to match the growing demand for the products, she needed to have equipment and facility upgrade. A request to enhance the production rate was actually the boon she was waiting for.

Polishing a diamond in the rough

In July 2011, Bacabac Home Peanut Butter sought the assistance of DOST-MIMAROPA through SETUP. The firm requested assistance for the acquisition of technology to improve efficiency—producing more in a short period of time—such as a charcoal-fired peanut roaster, a mixer, and an HP-motored peanut grinder, which will improve not only the number of products it can produce but also its quality. With the equipment, BHPB can now produce 36,000 bottles per annum, increasing its gross annual income to PhP 1.4 million. The firm also mentioned that from two (2) employees, it now has 10 workers employed. Recently, the firm took another step to make its service even better by upgrading the production building into a six-by-eight (6 x 8) meter area.

Into the bright future

Bacabac Home Peanut Butter already has a high demand in its locality in Malinao, Narra, Palawan. It has steady orders from clients ranging from individuals to local grocery stores. The enterprise has also attracted a large following in Puerto Princesa City. Its products can now be seen in large commercial centers in the city such as NCCC, Unitop, and Drugman.

Ms. Bacabac has dreams of expanding her market reach; possibly bringing her products beyond the borders of the country. She knows that her dreams need a good deal of perserverance, and the belief that nobody can really stop a diamond in the rough to shine even brighter.A pair of workers mixing peanut butter

A Success Measured by A Peanut Butter MakerAlonda’s Food Ventures, PalawanBy Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo and Pacifico T. Sariego III

Brooke’s Point Kitchen Incubator (BPKI) was launched on December 2, 2011 in Brooke’s Point, Palawan — a pioneer project of DOST in the MIMAROPA Region and possibly in the entire country. It is a shared facility that envisions to provide an area for start-up Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) wherein they can

avail services such as technology support, mentoring services, and a GMP-compliant business facility. This project was made possible through the consultative meetings between stakeholders and entrepreneurs in 2010 to address problems regarding food safety compliance, lack of equipment, high cost of initial investment for equipment, and

weak support mechanism for the struggling processed food sector in Brooke’s Point, Palawan.

Alonda’s Food Ventures is one of the clients of the BPKI which is now soaring high with success. Marilyn O. Alonsagay, the proprietress of Alonda’s, started using the BPKI since its launching in December 2011. And with the use of the facility, she admitted that her production rate increased and her sales even better.

From humble beginnings

Ms. Alonsagay started her peanut butter business with her love for cooking, and to make her business a real success, she combined it with strong will-power, consistency, perseverance, and hard work. She jokingly admits that she was even branded as a “workaholic” because she kept on working even if it is already 12 midnight.

For her very first attempt with the peanut butter business venture in Palawan, Marilyn only used five (5) kilos of peanuts. She roasts the peanuts using a pan and brings the roasted peanuts for grinding in a public market. Then she would bring the ground peanuts home and there she would start her personally concocted peanut butter recipe that she proudly claims as healthier than other peanut butters since she does not use oil or margarine in the mixture. With this, she says processing of 50 bottles can take three (3) days to finish.

Aiming higher

In 2011, she signed a contract with one of the largest commercial centers in Palawan which is known as NCCC. With this contract in mind, Ms. Alonsagay Alonda’s Food Ventures’ Crunchy Cashew Nut Mix peanut butter


became even more determined to take her peanut butter business more seriously. However, she was at wit’s end on how she can continuously meet the demand for her products. The establishment of the BPKI was like a dream come true for Ms. Alonsagay. She started using the BPKI in December 2011 and using the facility was like a breath of fresh air since all the step-by-step procedures for peanut butter processing has equipment that not only increased her productivity, but also made product quality better. The BPKI enabled Ms. Alonsagay to process peanuts in bulk, so in four (4) days she can process 400 bottles. She normally processes peanut butter three (3) times a month, but sometimes when the demand is high during peak seasons she would process every week. Access to the BPKI increased her overall productivity and potential income by 488%, which allowed her to hire 3 workers.

Aiming even higher

For the future and further expansion of Alonda’s Food Ventures, Ms. Alonsagay planned to have her own production area in 2014. She prepared a proposal seeking DOST assistance through SETUP with the aim of upgrading her processing facility and sustain her operation to cater to her burgeoning market.

Stability of success may still be far ahead for Alonda’s Food Ventures, but through Ms. Alonsagay’s positive outlook, dedication, hard work, and impressive work ethic, stability will surely be attained. As long as she is consistent with her positive efforts, not only will she be a success for a very long time but she will also serve as an inspiration for other BPKI clients and other MSMEs looking ahead for a long-term success.

Alonda’s Food Ventures uses the Brooke’s Point Kitchen Incubator facility for making peanut butter.

Rojems Homemade Candy’s banner products, sweetened sampaloc and sugar coated sampaloc, were first conceived as experimental recipes of Mrs. Emma Lota’s husband at their kitchen in Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan. The eureka moment in the kitchen turned out to be the start of a business for the husband and wife

tandem. Mrs. Lota and her husband officially started their modest business in 2003 using small loans obtained from their municipal government. With the small capital, they produced their banner products and distributed these to sari-sari stores in their area. The firm bore the first few letters of the couple’s names: Romeo J. Lota and Emma.

The firm’s products varied after the couple attended a food processing seminar initiated by the local government. With the seminar, they were able to add cashew brittle, peanut brittle, pastillas, peanut butter, special bukayo, coco candy, and coco jam to their offered products.

The business started to grow as more assistance came pouring in. The firm was able to purchase new cooking utensils with assistance from the local government. Soon they were able to hire an additional labourer to cope up with the increasing demand. A small processing center was added to their home where the homemade sweets were produced. They were able to put up a display center in their production area where the goods are bought by locals for pasalubong and by wholesale buyers for retail in their own stores. As the demand continued to grow, Emma took charge of production while Romeo took charge of marketing. This setup enabled them to widen their market reach even reaching Puerto Princesa which is more than a hundred kilometres away. Beyond Puerto Princesa the firm’s products were also able to reach as far as Linapacan Island and other distant islands in Palawan due to the perseverance of Romeo to market their products. As Liminangcong is situated in a remote locale accessible through rough roads, Romeo uses his motorized banca to deliver the goods to Puerto Princesa and the other remote islands of Palawan even travelling eight hours straight just to get to his destination. It is no small feat for this seasoned fisherman-turned-sweets-manufacturer to be travelling to his customers in the remote islands. His toughness is the hallmark for their success.

The Product of a Eureka MomentRojem’s Homemade Candy, PalawanBy Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo and Pacifico T. Sariego III

Mrs. Emma T. Lota, proprietress of Rojem’s Homemade Candy, at her product display area

50 | MIMAROPA Stars Volume II — Success Stories of SETUP-assisted and Community-based Projects

Metals and EngineeringPushing forward for more success

They say that entrepreneurs who are not afraid to take risks succeed in the end. This, by far, proved true for Mr. and Mrs. Lota. They had taken the risks of applying for loans to steer their business in the course of success. However, taking risks was not the only secret to Mr. and Mrs. Lota’s success. They were also hardworking, disciplined, and smart when it came to running their business.

Another smart move of the couple was their application to the SETUP program of DOST. Learning from the PSTC staff who came to Liminangcong about the program, the couple decided to grab the opportunity for assistance to upgrade further their production facility. With the demand the firm was experiencing in 2012, the assistance was timely. It would be a boost to their productivity. Their proposal was endorsed by the RTEC and approved by the Regional Director with the strong backing of the PSTD. The firm finally acquired equipment such as foot stamp sealer, cooking vats, coconut presser, coconut grater, and oven that improved their production processes and greatly increased their productivity. New products also became possible after the SETUP intervention. The coco jam may now be produced in large quantities with the new equipment. The firm increased their productivity by as much as 40%. From the usual gross of P30,000 monthly, the firm now enjoys sales of P50,000 and up. The couple is very thankful for the significant effect that the assistance brought them and their business. Romeo still plies the Palawan Sea but his motorboat now carries a greater load as a result of the increased productivity.

At present, the couple plans to apply for an FDA certificate that will help them expand their market reach. They are improving their shop-floor to comply with the requirements for GMP and FDA certifications. With an FDA certificate, the couple will be able to penetrate more supermarkets in Palawan. The PSTC Palawan believes that they would hurdle this next move as the couple had shown that the eureka moment had indeed gone a long way.

Various products of Rojem’s Homemade Candy

Rows of coco jam ready for selling

Workers packing coco candies using an impulse sealer


Bended Towards SuccessRhenn Welding Shop, MarinduqueBy Bernardo T. Caringal and Eleazar P. Manaog

For Mr. Gener Selda, owner of Rhenn Welding Shop in Dili, Gasan, Marinduque, it is a great decision of continuing their family business which he realized more successful rather than his previous duties being a barangay captain.

Aside from passenger jeepneys, tricycles are being used as primary mode of transportation in the province of Marinduque. In fact, there are a total of 15 registered machine shops or welding shops offering fabricated tricycle side cars throughout the province, most of which are located in Buenavista and Sta. Cruz. The municipality of Gasan also has its share of welding shops catering to the need for the design and manufacturing of side cars. Mr. Selda is very much aware of the competition, and he is encouraged to further enhance his facility and improve the quality of his products, with tricycle side cars as major product being manufactured. Moreover, the firm also planned to provide services that other local shops could not provide to have competitive advantage over their competitors.

Connecting Pipes…Gathering Networks

Despite of being a private person after his term as barangay captain, Mr. Selda never forgot the people he met during his political days and used them as networks for improving his business and marketing his products/services. Because of his popularity and the good services offered by his shop, the PSTC-Marinduque was encouraged for the provision of assistance from DOST-SETUP.

Mr. Gener Selda of Rhenn Welding Shop demonstrates the use of the hydraulic pipe bender to DOST Sec. Mario G. Montejo.

Assembling DOST-MIMAROPA’s Assistance

The DOST-MIMAROPA provided Innovation System Support from SETUP amounting to PhP 355,000.00 for the acquisition of hydraulic pipe bender. Aside from SETUP support, the firm has also received assistance on training on TIG-MIG-MAG welding and Wrought Iron Forming for improved steel and metal fabrication techniques.

The firm is now catering the needs of most metal fabrication firms in the province with the advent of the hydraulic pipe bending machine (extra income for rentals). They were able to cut on product rejects from 10% to 2% and production inputs valued at around PhP 12,000.00/month since outsourcing and difficulty in producing bended pipes were resolved.

Finishing and Collecting Returns

After a year of DOST intervention, the firm is realizing an average of 25% increase in sales amounting to PhP 175,000.00 monthly gross income (compared to PhP 131,250.00 before intervention) from aluminum and/or steel tricycle side car fabrication and repair services aside from the rentals of the bending machine. Although the firm still needs upgrading and addition of new/improved metal fabrication equipment, Mr. Selda believes that success of his business will be still realized and the lives of his family will be bended to the right path.

Wrought Iron Forming and Technology Demonstration on TIG-MIG-MAG Welding Processes

Workers try out the hydraulic pipe bender as PSTC-Marinduque PSTD Bernardo T. Caringal (left) looks on.

Some of the finished products made through the use of the hydraulic pipe bending machine.


PIECES OF DREAMS WELDED UPAquel’s Iron Works, RomblonBy Bilshan F. Servañez

Aquel had the seven-year itch that people experience whenever they have an idea they want implemented. He knew he could offer his clients more value for

their money with this product innovation he had in mind. Yet he had no idea how to implement his brainchild that had been in the backburner for so long.

Aquel is an equipment fabricator. He manufactures farm implements and processing equipment according to existing industry standards. He custom-fabricates machines as specified by clients, too. He had been in business for 20 years and had known the ins and outs of metal fabrication. The company has already gained a positive reputation among its clientele — two (2) of which are the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) in Romblon — as far as fabrication of implements is concerned. He manufactures a complete line of soil tillage implements including hand tractors, ploughs, harrows, and cultivators. He also produces post-harvest equipment like threshers, shellers, chippers, shredders and other processing equipment that the clients would order. He had a knack for improving existing designs to the delight of his clients. Almost always, his innovations give his clients satisfaction and value for their money. Aquel had no formal schooling in metalworking or equipment design and fabrication. He honed his skill through apprenticeship in a welding shop and through years of experience in the industry. He had no training in value engineering but he knew that if he gave value to his clients’ money, they would come back. His best-selling hand tractors are built tough; it would take years before clients would return for repairs and maintenance. He also guarantees his work with free after-sales service.

Yet Aquel knew he could still improve on his hand tractor design and make his client more satisfied. For so long Aquel obtained his tractor power transmission system either from Batangas or Mindoro. This chain-and-sprocket drive system is the Achilles’ heel of his tractors and is often the cause of shop returns by his clients. Aquel knew he could make an improvement on this part if he had the right equipment; but alas, he only had a welding machine, a

grinder, and some homemade jigs available. Aquel wished he had a lathe machine for turning billets so that his own power transmission system would have double bearings and bigger chain-and-sprocket drive; these he knew would delight his clients more. SETUP, like a fairy godmother, was about to make his wishes come true but Aquel’s life turned to a sadder turn of events. His wife and managing partner in the business and who had been assisting Aquel in processing papers for the innovation support suddenly succumbed to an illness and left him. Saddened and broken-hearted, Aquel almost forgot his shop. That was year 2010.

Picking up the pieces and finding a new inspiration after two (2) years, Aquel let his business be managed by his sister. It was in this revival where his clients came for support. Patronage of his products was still there as the quality of the pieces was not diminished even with time he had been out mourning. Nurturing the desire to have his innovations carried out Aquel came to the PSTC with renewed vigour to push through his plan of gaining innovation system support. His proposal was not a hard-sell and easily gained the nod of the DOST-MIMAROPA technical evaluation committee.

With the SETUP innovation system support of PhP 255,000.00, Aquel was able to acquire metal machining and cutting technologies in the form of a lathe machine and a cutoff saw. His own savings afforded him an oxyacetylene welding setup and another unit of welding machine. These beefed up the minimal metalworking equipment he had in his shop. With these new acquisitions, Aquel was able to realize his dream. He could now produce his own power transmission systems for his hand tractor with the design modifications he had in mind for so long. His modifications included a shaft with double bearings and a chain-and-sprocket drive that had chains double in size than what is currently available in the market. These, he said, would prolong the time before his clients would return for repairs.

Now, Aquel enjoys brisk business more than before. Even for a small province like Romblon where agricultural land area is not that extensive, he always gets a minimum order of one tractor per month. At times he would produce three (3) tractors and several other equipment and implements like threshers, trailers, ploughs, harrows and processing equipment. The DA and the LGU had repeatedly placed orders for his agricultural machines. Even the Governor of Romblon knows him and vouches for his work. In 2013 Aquel reported a 735% increase in productivity, manufacturing five (5) threshers and 15 tractors from the initial two (2) threshers and five (5) tractors prior to intervention. He also employed three (3) additional workers to accommodate the increase in production. These, Aquel gladly enthused, could all be attributed to the SETUP innovation system support and the productivity consultancy made available through DOST’s MPEX Program which effected waste minimization and improved efficiency. But the staff at the PSTC Romblon knows that Aquel’s success sprung from his core values that innovation and regard for clients’ money equate to client satisfaction and loyalty.

Hand tractors crafted by Aquel’s Iron WorksWorkers spot-welding

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Dr. Carol M. Yorobe (center), DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (2nd from right), and then PSTC-Romblon PSTD (now DOST-MIMAROPA Chief SRS) Dr. Bilshan F. Servañez (right) during a project visit at Aquel’s Iron Works


From Scraps To RichesDarnel’s Iron Works, RomblonBy Bilshan F. Servañez

Darnel’s Iron Works, located in Dapawan, Odiongan, Romblon started in 1998 as a roadside welding shop repairing tricycles that came in for minor welding jobs. Its work also included fabrication of steel windows and grilles, steel gates and other fabrication jobs. The firm rented out a small lot beside a junkshop where some

of its clients bought metal scraps to be fabricated in the shop. Darnel, the owner, is an artist by heart and knows the intricacies of his trade. He could design elaborate metal works based on his drawings and designs to the satisfaction of his customers. With an eye for quality workmanship, Darnel would supervise his two (2) workers keenly so that they would also imbibe the quality workmanship that he espouses. For turning out quality work, his renown and his business slowly grew. Before he applied for the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) assistance of DOST, Darnel already had four (4) welding machines and other metalworking tools in his shop. His capitalization increased to about a million pesos.

Darnel wanted to give his clients more. He knew that better quality workmanship may be had if he had the right tools and equipment. He thought of upgrading his shop, but he is not liquid enough to be able to purchase the needed equipment. He had previously heard about the SETUP, and the innovation system support it provides, from a client of his — the Provincial S&T Director of Romblon. In 2009, Darnel visited the Provincial S&T Center and learned more about the program and was at once sold in availing it. SETUP provided him with what he needed so that the quality workmanship he wanted to give his clients would be realized.

In 2010, the firm was provided, through SETUP, with the latest metal forming technologies such as a sheet metal bending machine, a mechanical pipe bending machine and a hydraulic pipe bending machine, and some other small tools needed in the shop. With these, Darnel’s work further improved. His sheet metal bends were

Usec. Yorobe (2nd from left) checks out the pipe bending machine of Darnel’s Iron Works. The pipe bending machine was acquired through SETUP assistance in 2010. With her are DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (center), and PSTD Servañez (rightmost).

PSTC-Romblon PSTD Servañez (left) shows DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (center) and DOST Usec. Yorobe (right) the spiral staircase fabricated by Darnel’s Iron Works

crisp and aligned; his pipe bends were also rounder than before when he only used jigs for pipe bending. He now fabricates tricycle bodies with nicely bent metal sheet sides. His spiral staircases could easily be made with the pipe bender. He also makes roof gutters easily and with any design specified by the customer.

Quality work became synonymous with his shop’s name and his customers kept on coming. With the increasing number of clients, Darnel hired additional workers in his shop. By then he had seven (7) workers doing various welding and fabrication jobs. His clients are now the more discerning ones ready to purchase, not scrap metal, but new materials for fabrication. Darnel added stainless steel fabrication to his increasing line of products. He also custom fabricates other metal items such as roof trusses, irrigation system gates, water tank towers and other items ordered by his clients. Darnel also diversified into roof installation, roll-up door fabrication, and even into the car wash business. The last one added two (2) more personnel to his workforce. His metalworking business had sales of PhP 2.36M in 2012, and, in the first eight (8) months of 2013 alone, already PhP 1.99M prior to his graduation from the program. His productivity increased to 158% from the year he applied for SETUP assistance, with an average increase in monthly sales from PhP 96,000.00 to PhP 250,000.00, and an increase in employment from three (3) to six (6) workers. Darnel’s shop had also expanded to a bigger area. With the MPEX consultancy accorded to the shop, his productivity is expected to further increase. Darnel’s Iron works was also provided training on machine shop operations, metal bending jig utilization, heat treatment and 5S offered by DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).

In the provision of quality services, Darnel wanted to move ahead of the competition. He had in mind fabrication in other metals and again thinks of having a spot welder, TIG and MIG-MAG welding setups. He is also thinking of precision cuts through a plasma cutter and a hydraulic shearing machine, and of a precision box bender for four-sided bends. Having these would make possible the fabrication of items not previously done in the province. Aluminum frames for light construction such as for mountain bikes may be made. Welding of cast iron may also be made possible through these new equipment. Clients in the province need no longer go to the mainland Luzon to have these types of fabrication. Darnel is poised to provide these metal works through the new SETUP assistance he applied for in 2014.

From a roadside establishment that catered to scrap-carrying clients, Darnel’s Iron Works had grown to be the biggest metalworking shop in Romblon.

(From left to right) Darnel’s sheet metal bending machine, precision box bender, and shear press were all acquired through SETUP assistance.


Pioneering Work Pays OffSMS Machine Shop, RomblonBy Bilshan F. Servañez

Saldy Gacute knows that his skill is what the province needs. Fresh from a five-year work stint and with a savings of PhP 300,000.00, he put up his machine reconditioning shop in 2003 in Odiongan. Saldy worked as a ship machinist while working with Aboitiz Jebsen. His experiences and skill were put to good use in his

newly established shop, the only one of its kind in the province at the time. Although Odiongan was the biggest town in the island that has nine other towns, it still has a few number of land vehicles in 2003; other towns have fewer numbers too. The new firm has a thin client base. It was a tough decision for a guy who earned dollars before to do trailblazing work in an uncertain services market in his field. But Saldy knows he had to do it. He knew that even if the province had a few vehicles at the time, the number would eventually grow. He was also concerned that his kababayans brought their engines to Manila or Batangas for repairs or those who could not afford to do so would just junk their engines and replace them with other reconditioned ones. So Saldy persisted in his small shop. At times he would not have a customer. At times he would also bring parts of the engines he repairs to Batangas, Manila, or Mindoro for machining which would mean going away from his shop and foregoing other potential customers. Saldy’s workmanship, however, became talk among vehicle owners. His customers steadily grew and included not only land vehicle owners but also water vehicle and even farm equipment owners. The SMS Machine shop became known throughout the province. Even government-owned vehicle engines are brought to his shop.

For a machine shop to really become worthy of its name, Saldy knew he had to equip it with a lathe machine and a milling machine. Yet his earnings were not enough as he had to support a family of six and with the children going through college. It was through the Project Gemini’s (precursor of Project GRACE, an assemblage of National Government Agencies: DOST, DTI, DOLE, TESDA, and DA) radio program that Saldy knew of SETUP. He applied for the innovation support that the PSTC personnel promptly responded to. With the DOST-MIMAROPA assistance amounting to PhP 300,000.00 (in 2010), he was able to purchase a lathe machine, a boring-honing machine, machine press, and sets of tools and calipers. With the new equipment, SMS Machine Shop was able to provide

other engine reconditioning and repairing jobs including custom billets. He enjoyed a growing income with these acquisitions. The PSTC though was not finished with the productivity enhancement with the equipment provided. It enrolled the shop in the MPEX program which greatly improved its operations. It also brought in experts from the MIRDC which provided informal training on machine shop operation as well as training on heat tempering and wrought iron works.

Today the trailblazing job that Saldy made twelve years ago has paid off. His clients have grown and now included small engine owners as well as tricycle and motorcycle owners. Clients no longer bring their engine blocks to Batangas or Manila for reboring, for sleeve fitting, or for any other machining works. Saldy could perform those repair and machining works for them. His shop became known throughout the province; even repair works from the other islands of Romblon are brought to his shop. Quality workmanship enables him to charge competitive fees. His earnings in 2013 amounted to PhP 490,000.00 with a 498% in productivity based on his previous income before the SETUP intervention. He was able to employ two additional personnel in his shop. From his earnings he was able to send his children to college, one of which graduated as a mechanical engineer and is poised to take on the trade of his father. From his savings Saldy averred that he was able to buy the lot adjacent to his shop and had made expansion of his shop possible. Seeing that he is almost paid in his SETUP amortizations, Saldy mulled on expanding his shop to include another lathe machine, as well as a milling machine. In 2014, he submitted his new proposal for SETUP assistance for the acquisition of metal cutting and forming technologies such as hydraulic press, drill press, reboring machine, shaper, and another lathe machine — all amounting to PhP 495,000.00, which was promptly approved. The PSTC personnel knew that a pioneer like Saldy who was bold enough to take on new challenges and plod on uncharted waters successfully, deserves another round of assistance.

Saldy Gacute using a metal lathe machine (left) and drill press (right)

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Dr. Carol M. Yorobe (2nd from right), DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (right) visits Saldy Gacute’s SMS Machine Shop


Taming the tiger grassRomblon State University, RomblonBy Bilshan F. Servañez

Although Romblon is known as the marble capital of the Philippines, it also produces other products that rank high in economic importance. Among these is the non-wood forest product tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima). Tiger grass is made into soft brooms for the households and the janitorial service industry. The tiger grass

industry in the province amounts to millions of pesos. Tiger grass production, processing, and marketing comprise the economic activities around the industry. Each of these components in the value chain generates economic gain for the people and stakeholders involved. There are three (3) towns in the Northern portion of Tablas Island that are engaged in the industry. These towns are San Agustin, Calatrava and San Andres. Although San Agustin was the former tiger grass capital of the province, it was unseated by San Andres as the largest tiger grass producing town. Processors that convert the grass into brooms remain largely in San Agustin though. San Agustin has an area of 78 hectares planted to tiger grass and produces 15,600 bundles of the grass. Calatrava has about 20 hectares and produces about 4,000 bundles. San Andres has 130.6 hectares devoted to the crop and produces 80,000 bundles annually. Sold as raw material to processors, total production could amount to PhP 4.83M; but when sold as brooms this volume of grass generates about PhP 14.5M. It is no wonder that more and more farmers are engaged in the crop. The industry employs about 347 households in the province. Some of these people are into grass production, some are into grass trading, some are into processing, and some go into broom trading. Even schoolchildren have roles in the industry: they separate the inflorescence from the panicles and do some panicle picking to thin the grass from the individual stalks. Women are also employed in grass production and processing.

With the significance of the industry in the lives of several Romblomanons, PSTC Romblon deemed necessary that researches be made so as to assess the industry, identify problems, and propose solutions to these problems. It was also deemed necessary that research and development be done to develop equipment that would greatly aid the production processes for tiger grass. Inasmuch as the PSTC does not have an R&D function, it partnered with an institution that is in the heart of the industry – the Romblon State University (RSU). The Romblon State

Engr. Orley Fadriquel from the Romblon State University demonstrates the Tiger Grass Pollen Remover-con-Woodworking Machine

University includes research among its quadrologic functions and addresses local situations and problems in its R&D undertakings. A proposal was submitted by PSTC Romblon before the RTEC to create research chairs for at least two R&D projects to be funded for PhP 200,000.00 out of its GIA allotment. With the RTEC nod and approval of the DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director, the RSU responded with two (2) research proposals: “Tiger Grass Industry in Six Adjoining Villages in Northern Tablas: A baseline Study” by Mr. Eddie Fetalvero et al.; and “Design, Construction and Test Performance of Tiger Grass Pollen Remover-con-Woodworking Machine” by Engr. Orley Fadriquel.

The first research studied the demographics and the geographical makeup of the tiger grass region in Northern Tablas that covered six (6) adjoining barangays. The survey respondents comprised of 292 industry workers. The research yielded a wealth of data that may be used by industry players, stakeholders and decision makers in further improving the industry. GPS location maps of the plantations were also included in the data gathered. Overlain with forest cover and other land use maps, these could present a clear picture in critical and conservation areas. The research output was recently presented as a poster by the researchers representing the university in an academic and scientific gathering for the First International Conference on Tropical Biology sponsored by SEAMEO – Center for Tropical Biology on October 3-4, 2013 at IPB-International Conference Center, Botani Square, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. The presentation brought acclaim to researchers and the university. Its extended abstract was published in conference proceedings with the title “Resource Survey and Mapping of Tiger Grass Plantations in a Philippine Island”.

The second research came up with a prototype for a tiger grass pollen remover. The contraption composed of an electric motor primemover and a threshing drum with nylon bristles. One added feature of the machine was the lathe for turning wooden broom handles. The design was compact and easy to use. The research was entered in invention contests and had won prizes for the researcher including two first place awards in the Romblon and MIMAROPA provincial and regional invention contests, respectively. The research was also presented in various academic gatherings and had also gained honor for the researcher and the university. The research is now in its commercialization phase. The DTI-Romblon seeing the importance of the machine in the tiger grass industry, ordered six (6) units of the same for distribution to tiger grass growers in San Andres and San Agustin in a shared-use facility scheme. The scheme would allow everyone in the tiger grass growing communities to thresh their grasses for a fee. The fee would be collected by the growers association that would in turn maintain the equipment and replace it or add a new one whenever needed. Having the equipment would free the growers from the drudgery of having to thresh the grasses by smashing them against tree trunks to get rid of the inflorescence. This would also free schoolchildren from the work as they are the ones assigned this duty, even sacrificing school attendance and homework at times. PSTC Occidental Mindoro is also poised to order the equipment through a combined funding arrangement with their DOLE counterpart.

Looking back two years after the grant was awarded to the University; DOST-MIMAROPA could say it was a GIA well spent.

Tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima)


Back in 2004, Mr. Arnel S. Macolor started a machine shop with just a meagre capital of PhP2,500.00. With this capital, he single-handedly tried to establish a

respectable auto-machine shop. However, Mr. Macolor’s auto-machine shop failed to be a successful machine shop that he dreamed it to be. To reverse the failing state of his machine shop, Mr. Macolor decided to apply for various loans. The risk was definitely worth taking as after two (2) years of hard work and numerous loan applications, ARMAC Auto Repair and Machine Shop formally opened in 2006. He employed close friends and relatives as his business developed. The shop started offering auto repair services such as oil changes, brake repairs, engine tune-ups, transmission service, turbo installation services, tire alignment, engine repair and rebuilding, engine and body repainting, re-wiring, air conditioning and under chassis repair works. They also offered machining services using their lathe machine.

Further taking risks for business development

Despite the numerous services that the shop offered, Mr. Macolor still saw the need to upgrade his offerings. Palawan is a big province and one with a large population of motor vehicles including cars and sea crafts. ARMAC planned to provide a complete package of repair services to these vehicles to include surface grinding and cylinder reboring. These repair services would be the second of its kind in Palawan but the increasing number of vehicles warrants several more of this kind. Learning of the SETUP assistance package from PSTC Palawan staff he then decided to apply for the innovation system support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It was another risk he had to take but one he knew was very calculated. The terms of the assistance were too favorable and tempting to be ignored. So with the RTEC nod and approval of the Regional Director, ARMAC was able to acquire one (1) unit of surface grinding machine and (1) unit of boring machine for upgrading the services offered by the shop.

A surface grinding machine is used to grind the mating surface of cylinder heads to make it flat and even so that a perfect seal is again attained when it is fastened to the

cylinder block. This operation, also called “refacing”, is necessary to return the surface to the required degree of flatness just like when it was first assembled at the factory. Prolonged engine use, excessive heat and pressure could sometimes warp the cylinder head to such degree that results to compression leaks; consequently reducing engine performance and increasing fuel consumption.

Cylinder reboring, on the other hand, is an operation where the engine bore, the cylindrical volume wherein the piston makes back and forth motion when the engine runs, is enlarged by a fraction of a millimeter. Such a precise removal of material would return the cylinder to a perfect and precise dimension necessary for a tight seal between the cylinder wall and the piston rings. This in turn would improve engine performance and fuel economy.

With the SETUP assistance and the newly acquired equipment, ARMAC was able to offer services such as block reboring, cylinder head refacing, fabrication and other machine works. Due to such turn of events, ARMAC was able to cater to more customers hence generating more income. In November 15, 2014, ARMAC reported that there was an astounding 151.40% increase in their sales after the SETUP intervention. There was also an increase in workforce of the shop as they have taken in an additional of five mechanics and helpers.

Efforts for service promotion

As ARMAC is one of the few auto repair and machine shops in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan that acquired advanced equipment, they now promote their new services to other machine shops in the city to widen their market base. These shops in turn referred ARMAC to their customers searching for auto repair and machining services that only ARMAC offered best.

With the turn of events in his business, ARMAC owner Arnel Macolor, looks back to the day when he first applied for SETUP assistance and notes “it was a risk worth taking.”

A Risk Worth TakingARMAC Auto Repair and Machine Shop, PalawanBy Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo and Engr. Pacifico T. Sariego III

Mr. Arnel Macolor, proprietor of ARMAC Auto Repair and Machine Shop, checks the under-chassis of a client’s vehicle. ARMAC’s surface grinding machine (right), and re-boring machine (left), acquired through SETUP assistance

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Gifts, Décors and Housewares

Weaving the Future The Waygan WayMansalay Corn-based Farmer-Scientists Association,Oriental MindoroBy Jesse M. Pine

Anabo (Abroma augusta, Linn.) is a shrub or small tree growing 2 to 3 meters high. Its branches and branchlets are downy and the leaves are alternate, ovate, 10 to 15

centimeters in length, 10 to 12 centimeters wide, with a pointed tip, heart-shaped base, and toothed margins. Flowers are bisexual, about 5 centimeters across, yellowish with purple bases. The fruit is capsule-shaped, obpyramidal, and about 3.5 centimeters in diameter, covered with irritating hairs, ultimately smooth, with five prominent angles or wings, which are 4 to 7 centimeters across. Seeds are sub-ellipsoid, numerous, and finely marked with spots (http://www.stuartxchange.org/Anabo.html).

Early Attempt

Studies associated with the plant were more on its medicinal properties and potential.However, its bark is widely used as cordage similar to abaca (Musa textilis) in the rural areas. In an independent research, Engr. Rita G. Delfin of the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) had made an investigation on the plant entitled “The Anabo Fibers (Abroma augusta, Linn.) as Potential Textile Raw Material”. Based on her study, anabo fibers can be blended with polyester or cotton to produce polyester-anabo or cotton-anabo yarns by pre-treating and cutting the fibers into staples. The production of 100% anabo yarns may also be tried, but considering the fiber coarseness, problems during commercial processing will occur. The yarns can be woven in a handloom to produce fabrics of desired densities.

How It Started

Early in 2012, PSTC-Oriental Mindoro PSTD, Jesse M. Pine had seen samples of the fiber during one of the activities in Mansalay where it was used as a rope for the corn-based exhibits. He took some of it and brought to PTRI for evaluation and eventually an assessment was conducted to verify its potentials.

Gambit for Change

Recent trials conducted by DOST-PTRI on the anabo fibers blended with 60% polyester and the same amount in cotton

Raw Anabo fibers (top), which are then dyed and woven into fine handicrafts (center and bottom)

http://www.stuartxchange.org/Anabo.html


yielded good quality woven fabrics. The yarns can be used as alternative for the threads the Mangyans are weaving for their tapis, bags, and other personal belongings.

Deluge of Assistance

In August 2012, DOST-MIMAROPA in cooperation with DOST-PTRI and LGU-Mansalay had conducted training on bleaching and dyeing natural fibers in the area, with anabo and buri as the raw materials. The people in Waygan, particularly the members of Mansalay Corn-based Farmer-Scientists Association (MCFSA) were taught the basic principles of having natural fibers processed and blended with different colors. The idea of developing the unique fiber of anabo into a high-value product was born.

In 2014, DOST-MIMAROPA chose to proceed with Mansalay as the next Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) area, a program to ease poverty as the town has the second highest poverty incidence in the province. Consequently, the Association was granted technological assistance by DOST-MIMAROPA for the acquisition of handlooms, rice hull gasifier for bleaching and dyeing, production materials and accessories. As one of the active partners of DOST in enterprise development and employment generation, DOLE readily provided funds for the procurement of additional handlooms and working capital for the project. The local government has poured in funds for the construction of a building to serve as the common service facility for dyeing natural fibers and handloom weaving.

In June of the same year, the members were taught by DOST-PTRI on basic handloom weaving. The group was so excited that they had produced woven products like table runners and place mats. With the fast-pacing project manifested in the group’s eagerness to develop more attractive and market-driven products, the DOST, DOLE and the LGU had asked again the assistance of DOST-PTRI experts for another training, this time on Advanced Handloom Weaving, which was conducted in August.

Advanced Handloom Weaving conducted by DOST-PTRI in 2013Participants at the Advanced Handloom Weaving training prepare the handloom.

Making Things Happen

The newly-designed woven products with a tinge of colorful combinations had been a consistent exhibit in the town’s activities, and last November, when the 63rd Founding Anniversary of the province was held, Mansalay has highlighted on its booth the new product it offers, the woven anabo creations—a unique product featured in the Provincial Agri-Trade Fair. For this, the town was awarded the 2nd place over-all in terms of booth-sales and design, the first-ever accolade the Mansalay was given in recent years of participating in the annual event. It was also the first time that the products are exposed to various potential buyers of table runners, place mats, and shawls. One of the guests who has visited the booth has this to say of anabo woven products: “Frankly, I am not easily impressed with things, but with these products’ potentials, I can see great things coming.” That’s the comment, by the way, of one of the rising designers in the country who happens to be working with the newly-opened high-class hotel resort in Puerto Galera. With the resort-owner present, she quipped: “I will donate a handloom for the project!”

“I envision this noble project as a way to harnessing locally-available resources that will give my constituents alternative source of income” said Mayor Joel Maliwanag. “That’s why the LGU is all out in its support to Brgy. Waygan to alleviate the living conditions of its populace as it is the poorest barangay in the municipality,” he added.

Seeing It Coming

From the usual use of the natural fiber as cordage, it can now be utilized as warp in the production of table runners and place mats. ”Never did the local folks have any inkling on the benefits of this anabo tree, but now they see it as a source of income especially that not all of them are engaged in farming,” said Mr. Randy Eusebio, the association president. “Now we see a brighter future for us as we are the only barangay in the 2nd district of the province which has a common service facility for bleaching and dyeing natural fibers and handloom weaving for GDH production,” he quipped. “We also are glad that this project has been going on, embraced and participated by the elderly, women, men, and even the physically-challenged members of our barangay,” said one of the MCSFA members.

The product swatches have also reached Rags to Riches, a high-end product development firm engaged in the manufacture of personal accessories and home decors.

Waygan, way beyond!

Dyeing of Indigenous Fibers training conducted by DOST-PTRI in 2012 DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay samples a shawl woven by MCFSA


A Brighter Future With Candle LightsSocial Action Commission-Batayang Pamayanang KristiyanoSta. Cruz Chapter, MarinduqueBy Bernardo T. Caringal and Eleazar P. Manaog

Votive candles produced by SAC-BPK Sta. Cruz Chapter

Humble beginnings

The province of Marinduque is better known for the famous Moriones Festival. It is a feast celebrated during the Holy Week to re-enact and make

one reflect on the suffering and nailing onto the cross of Jesus Christ under Pontius Pilate carried on by the Roman soldiers called “morions”. The Catholic Church has a strong influence on the small island. Candles, traditionally, are a ubiquitous feature in church activities such as Holy Mass celebrations, baptisms, weddings, and processions during the festivity. Not only are candles used during festivities but also during regular masses.

The Batayang Pamayanang Kristiyano (BPK) in the municipality of Sta. Cruz is an organized group under the supervision of the Social Action Commission (SAC) and is engaged in the candle making business. They initially used the dipping method for standing candles, and plaster of paris moulds for votives or vigil candles. They started the project with a capital of PhP 20,000.00 borrowed from the “Pondo ng Pinoy”, an initiative of the Catholic Church to solicit for funds to support deprived communities and finance livelihood activities.

“Kahit Maliit, Basta’t Malimit, Patungong Langit” – Pondo ng Pinoy

The candle production commenced on March 2011 and produced an average of 510 pieces of candles (210 votives and 300 tapered) from 150kgs of paraffin wax per month. Four (4) workers (two paid, and two volunteers) were engaged in the production activity. All of the products are absorbed by the Holy Cross Parish in Sta. Cruz, and the group gained an average gross income of PhP 10,000.00 per month. From that income, the group was able to pay the borrowed money within one (1) year.

Blessings from “Above”

BPK-Sta. Cruz Chapter realized that the project can be upgraded since there is a big untapped market for

their products in the province. Out of the 14 parishes in the province, only the Holy Cross Parish in Sta. Cruz was being supplied. It was a blessing that the organization met the staff from PSTC-Marinduque and a larger scale candle production was conceptualized.

During that time, the PSTC staff suggested to the group to conduct a meeting with Bishop Rey Evangelista of the Diocese of Marinduque and discuss the proposed upgrading, which the group did. Recognizing the practicality of the project and its feasibility, Bishop Rey bestowed his support and promised to discuss it with the 14 parish priests as they will be the target “captive” market.

Before the project was officially implemented, however, Bishop Rey was transferred to the Diocese of Imus, Cavite and temporarily replaced by Fr. Elino Esplana as Diocese Administrator. The project was again discussed with Fr. Elino who also favourably promised support; it was truly a blessing from above – as one window of opportunity closed another door opened up.

Multiplication of blessings with technology

The project proposal entitled “Mechanization of Candle Making in Marinduque” was presented before the RTEC, endorsed for approval and approved by the Regional Director in 2013. Innovation System Support amounting to PhP 180,000.00 was provided for the acquisition of candle machine equipment, stainless steel cooking vats and packaging materials.

The candle machine was delivered on November 2013 and the training on its operations, participated in by nine (9) members of BPK, was conducted on December 6, 2013.

Using the candle making machine the BPK members were amazed by the speed the votives were produced.

DOST Sec. Montejo (2nd from right) visits the production facility of SAC-BPK Sta. Cruz Chapter with DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (rightmost) and PSTC-Marinduque PSTD Caringal (3rd from right).

70 | MIMAROPA Stars Volume II — Success Stories of SETUP-assisted and Community-based Projects

Before the acquisition of the machine, the group can only utilize 10 kilograms of paraffin wax per day through the use of dipping and plaster of paris moulds. The group only had two (2) rubber moulds for votive candles and could only produce 30 to 40 pieces per day. With the candle making machine for votives they were able to utilize a minimum of 30 kilograms of wax and produced at least 216 votive candles (in three batches) in a day. This translated to 4,752 votive candles in a month. With technology solutions to their production process, their productivity translated to blessings, was multiplied threefold.

Sound business plan

Going back to the church as their captive market, there were 204 chapels in the 14 parishes in the Diocese of Marinduque. Considering that each parish church and chapel consumed an average of 40 pieces tapered candles and 20 pieces of votive candles per month, the total requirement for candles was around 4,640 pcs. The strategy of hooking up with the churches contributed to about PhP18,560.00 (with 20% mark-up) monthly income for the group.

Further, to ensure market sustainability, each Barangay Pastoral Council was tasked to identify 24 families and request them to allot or offer PhP 200.00 to the church for the procurement of 20 pieces of votive candles per year. Aside from this, local distributors of different kinds of candles usually coming from in Manila were also tapped to patronize the locally manufactured candles.

The project would see a brighter light as the DOLE came into the picture after seeing that the project had gained ground. DOLE-MIMAROPA also granted assistance for the procurement of spiral candle making machine through the assistance of PSTC-Marinduque. The group expects at least another PhP 8,000.00 monthly as additional revenue with the advent of new candle designs.

Members of the cooperative show off the final products during the Technology Demonstration on Votive Candle Production organized by DOST-MIMAROPA, through PSTC-Marinduque, and in partnership with DOLE-MIMAROPA. Agriculture

(Postharvest)


A Brighter Shade of PaleLMG Rice Mill, Oriental Mindoro

Leonard M. Garcia Rice Mill has been engaged in the business of rice milling and trading since 2003. The firm is located in Ogbot, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. Before the intervention of DOST-MIMAROPA through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), out of the 325 bags produced by the firm per day,

60% is considered good quality, priced at PhP 1,500.00 per sack, while the remaining 40% turned out to be “slight” and priced lower at PhP 1,350.00 per sack by rice traders. “Slight” is the term used for discoloured and chalky rice grains with impurities such as stones, weed seeds, and broken grains. “Slight” quality rice is difficult to sell, which means less income for the firm.

The firm markets both good and “slight” quality rice in various areas such as Batangas, Metro Manila, and Western Visayas. To address the problem of reducing the “slight” quality of rice produced and, conversely, increasing the income of the rice mill, DOST-MIMAROPA, through its PSTC in Oriental Mindoro identified the color sorter technology as the needed intervention.

Color sorters, used for harvested foodstuff such as rice, coffee, and nuts, are machines that separate items through optical sensors that detect the colors of things that pass before them, and then pneumatically diverts the items whose colors do not fall within acceptable color ranges.

By Jesse M. Pine

The cooperator, Mr. Leonard M. Garcia, and the color sorter technology acquired through SETUP assistance

Conventional drying processes make rice grains vulnerable to impurities. In cases such as these, the use of a color sorter machine is highly recommended, especially in huge grain processing facilities.

LMG Rice Mill availed of the SETUP assistance in 2013 and the color sorter was installed in the rice mill in September 2 the same year. The positive results were almost immediately evident. According to Mr. Garcia, since acquiring the color sorter technology, out of the around 10,000 sacks they produce per month, the number of sacks that contain “slight” quality rice was significantly reduced to around 100.

The improvement brought about by DOST’s intervention enabled the firm’s produce to command a higher price in the market. Indeed, Mr. Garcia said that they can sell their rice at a price PhP 50.00 higher than others. Consequently, the enterprise posted an increase in sales pegged at PhP 15.7M in 2013 compared to the PhP 9.13M in 2012. Furthermore, LMG Rice Mill increased its employment from 32 workers to 74 workers.

Bags of commercial rice ready for shipment at the rice milling facility

DOST Usec. Yorobe (2nd from left) and DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (leftmost) observe how the color sorter technology works.


Thriving Business for the TriviñosTriviño Rice Mill, Oriental MindoroBy Jesse M. Pine

A Call Way Back Then

It was in April 2011, when DOST-Oriental Mindoro received a call for an inquiry on the details of the construction of a biogas digester facility. The caller, Mr. Reynaldo G.

Trivinio, from Orconuma, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, and engaged in commercial swine production, was in dire need of a solution to the mounting air pollution problem his business contributed to the neighborhood. Mr. Trivinio’s eagerness to establish the biodigester plant the soonest time possible was obvious in his conversation with the author who is the Provincial S&T Director and one of the biogas technicians in DOST-MIMAROPA.

A visit was arranged for site assessment and legal documents were prepared which led to the immediate construction of the second DOST-assisted biogas project in the municipality of Bongabong. Incidentally, during the duty call, Mr. Pine noticed that Totoy (Mr. Triviño) was also into palay trading and rice milling ventures. He supplies his commercial rice to various municipalities in Oriental Mindoro and Romblon. Mr. Pine took the opportunity to discuss the technology upgrading support that DOST-SETUP offered to MSMEs in the province. Right there and then, Totoy and his wife became interested in availing the technological assistance from DOST.

After the biogas facility was completed and realized an average monthly savings on cooking fuel costs of PhP1,400.00 for the Triviños, the PSTD embarked on another assistance package to upgrade their rice drying and rice milling operations.

Rise of the Machines for Rice

The Triviño’s rice milling business processed an average of 56 bags of rice per day based on a seven-month record of operations. This was realized using the firm’s outdated single-pass milling apparatus. The output was of poor quality and unable to meet the demand of regular customers. Adding to the recipe for poor operations was the drying system of the firm. A 1,500 square meter drying pavement was used by the firm for drying operations which resulted to downtimes during

Mr. Reynaldo G. Triviño with the six-tonner mechanical dryer acquired through SETUP assistance

rainy days further aggravating the poor quality and quantity of output. Postharvest losses were also heavily incurred by the firm as a result of these outdated drying and milling systems.

Rising in aid to the firm and seeing its technology needs, DOST-Oriental Mindoro forged an alliance with Triviño Rice Mill (TRM) and submitted a PhP 1.495M project proposal. The proposal was promptly reviewed by the RTEC and endorsed by the DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director for SETUP-NPMO approval. The firm was eventually provided with innovation system support for the acquisition of technology on grain drying and improvement of the efficiency of milling. Consequently, a 6-tonner mechanical dryer was installed using a furnace fuelled with rice hull, a move that significantly improved the drying operations of the firm, decreased its downtime, minimized postharvest losses, improved quality of output and, as an added bonus, reduced the environmental problem on the common waste in rice milling facilities. In 2013, an average of 1,109.96 bags of palay was dried per month using the new drying equipment. This was a significant increase compared to the monthly average of 893 bags of palay in 2012. The rice mill and accessories were also procured which greatly enhanced the firm’s productivity. The firm was able to mill the palay it dried and considerably increased its production volume. The quality of milled rice also improved as the drying operations produced an even moisture content that was required for quality milling.

Cutting Edge

Before SETUP intervention, Totoy only sold his products to wholesale buyers in the province and some parts of the region. In 2013, as the enterprise’s productivity increased, he was able to open an outlet at the town’s public market. The undertaking easily brought an average of 1,324 bags of milled rice additional sales per month valued at PhP 1.986M (at PhP 1,500.00 per 50kg). In their market stall, TRM offered lower prices at PhP 30.00 per kg against PhP 32.00 to PhP 35.00 per kg prevailing price as it directly sells its products to the customers, eliminating the middleman, which usually contributed to hikes in rice prices.

“We are very much grateful to DOST for the noble program of assisting MSMEs like us. Without SETUP, our productivity would continue to plunge due to inefficient equipment in our processing line. It is a blessing that we came across DOST and became a beneficiary of DOST-SETUP,” said Totoy with all smiles. To date he continues to deliver his products to his captive markets in the region.

DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (right) listens as Totoy Triviño tells of the efficiency of the installed furnace for the mechanical dryer.

PSTC-Oriental Mindoro PSTD Jesse M. Pine (left) with Totoy Triviño stand beside the facility’s rice hull furnace


Furniture

The Wooden ResurrectionResurreccion N. Polinag Furniture, Occidental MindoroBy Ryan Mark A. Ambong and Maria Ethelwilda G. Coronacion

There is nothing certain in life except death and taxes, according to Benjamin Franklin. Death is sure to come and that is why the funeral business will

always be thriving.

Resurreccion N. Polinag Furniture, a DOST-assisted firm based in Barangay Poblacion, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro has seen a good opportunity in expanding its business from being a mere producer of wood furniture to maker of wooden caskets. The firm’s owners were influenced by their close friends and loyal customers to venture into casket manufacturing. They later discovered that the turn-over of money is faster in casket making than from wooden furniture production.

Birth of the Wooden Business

In 1982, Resurreccion got married to Nicanor “Nick” Polinag who came from a family of carpenters. Way back in 1978, Nick worked in a furniture business owned by a relative as a part-time worker with a daily wage of 10 pesos. It was here where he initially obtained his knowledge and skills in assembling and designing wood furniture. At a young age of 22, and already a husband to Resurreccion, Nick worked as a contractor in a furniture shop in Batangas getting a monthly salary of 150 pesos. Not satisfied with his job, Nick went to Manila and applied as a worker in a furniture shop owned by a Chinese. The shop had two (2) branches located in San Miguel, Manila and Mandaluyong. At his young age he was hired as shop supervisor. For a period of eight (8) years, the business grew under his supervision. But in 1990, the Chinese owner decided to close the business and migrate to the US. The employer trusted Nick so much that some materials and equipment for furniture making were bequeathed to him. The Chinese businessmen who had full trust and confidence on Nick’s entrepreneurial skills encouraged him to start his own business in the province; and he did just that.

In the same year, Nick went back to Mindoro. Restrained by capital to venture into business on their own, husband and wife entered into partnership with

A worker operating the band saw acquired through SETUP assistance

A worker assembling a wooden dining chair


another furniture maker in Abra de Ilog. Their firm was registered under the business name Mega Interiors. The business started with a small capital and equipped with one circular saw and a compressor, the equipment given by Nick’s former employer. Nick handled almost all the heavy tasks of the operation as well as the finishing of the products.

The shop experienced many leaps and bounds commonly felt by struggling entrepreneurs. In 1992, two years after opening the shop, the couple decided to temporarily break the partnership. “Mahirap mag-business kapag may kasosyo kasi may kahati sa kita. Hindi na baleng maliit ang kinikita basta ikaw mismo ang namamahala,” said the couple. The couple took stock of their resources and planned their next move. The following year, they resumed operations after moving to a new lot. The business continued to grow and they were able to acquire new equipment. Soon they were able to save enough to have their own house and lot with a small production area.

Rising from the Ashes

On April 29, 2007, the shop was burned due to an accident, losing almost half a million worth of assets, including the raw materials and equipment. Even the drill press and circular saw were not salvaged from the fire. Despite what happened, Mr. and Mrs. Polinag were not disheartened rather continued to strive hard to recover. They contacted Nick’s former Chinese employer to ask for help. Fortunately, they were granted two drill presses. They also borrowed an amount of 50,000 pesos from one of their godfathers with no interest and used the money to buy a new circular saw. Because of faith, and perseverance, they were able to pull through with their furniture business. In 2007, the shop became a legitimate single proprietorship business, Resurreccion N. Polinag Furniture, engaged in furniture manufacturing. Product lines included dining sets, sala sets, door panels and jambs, windows and window panels, cabinets, beds, parquet, and mouldings. Sources of wood as the primary raw material were from the local suppliers in the province whom they have informal contract with.

The business prospered in the following years due to quality pieces which resulted to increased customers. Nick handles the bulk of the shop’s activity because he is the one dictating the finishing and how the product should look like. There are currently five (5) employees in the production area. They hired workers who they trained and become skilled in wood carving and furniture assembly. Some of these workers gained enough skills to work abroad and were very thankful to the firm owners.

DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay (2nd from left), together with the DOST staff and the owners of Resurreccion N. Polinag Furniture during a production area visit and monitoring activity

Molding and Transition

The husband and wife team were afraid to seek financial assistance for their venture because they were afraid they could not meet amortizations. But when the PSTC staff introduced to them the concept of technology assistance they were at once hooked to the idea that this would work. So it was in 2008 when Resurreccion N. Polinag Furniture finally decided to seek assistance from DOST-SETUP to accommodate the increasing market demand. By the first quarter of 2011, the request for assistance on productivity and quality enhancement of wood furniture was granted to include the following equipment: thickness planer, jointer planer, bandsaw, tilting table saw, jigsaw, radial arm saw, and wood lathe. After receiving assistance and acquiring the modern equipment, the shop was able to improve its production process and accommodate more customers. The quality of the pieces was also greatly improved with short turnover in production times. These further enhanced their following.

In 2012, Mrs. Polinag saw the prospect in wooden casket making. The idea came when some customers requested them to assemble caskets. The raw materials came from the customers and they were just paid for the labor. Later, the couple decided to add caskets to their product line. In just a period of one (1) year, they saw that wooden caskets generated bigger sales than the usual wooden furniture products they initially offered. The total monthly gross sales generated from all the product lines ranged from PhP 90,000.00 to PhP 100,000.00. With the added product line, they were able to penetrate the municipalities of Paluan, Sta. Cruz, and Mamburao with their products.

Securing trust from the customers is, by far, the biggest investment of Mr. and Mrs. Polinag in keeping up the business. For them customer trust translates to income and profit. This is why they try their best to maintain the integrity of offering the customers the best service and product quality. Despite gaining success from wood furniture business and the expansion to casket making, Resurrecion N. Polinag Furniture is expecting that they will soon encounter problems on supply of wood raw materials due to the total log ban imposed by DENR. Already, there is a plan to engage in metal furniture and metal caskets or mixed media furniture of plantation species and metal.

At present, the firm has already established an outlet for its casket product line while continuing in the manufacture of wood furniture. From mere furniture business, the owner is also eyeing to put up their own funeral home and services to be named Funeraria Resurreccion. It was noted from sales records that furniture and funeral business was a good combination as the equipment and machines used were interrelated.

As quoted by Mark Twain, “There’s one thing in this world which isn’t ever cheap. That’s a coffin.” Figuratively, it is true as a lot of economic repercussions are brought to a family when a person dies. Literally, it is one thing that the Polinags knew and took as an opportunity to resurrect their business.

The display area of finished wooden caskets and other wood-made funeral accessories


Other Priority Sector

Relief From Artificial ReefRagasras Dungon Association, Inc., Occidental MindoroBy Ryan Mark A. Ambong and Maria Ethelwilda G. Coronacion

Community Breathes Life to Artificial Reef

Empowered community-based organizations take positive steps that create big impacts to the lives of members and the community they are in. Such was the story of Ragasras Dungon Association,

Inc. The association advocated the conservation and restoration of their coastal areas in Sitio Ragasras, Barangay Tayamaan, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. The former chairman of the association, Mr. Peter Flores, noticed that fish catch around the Ragasras Bay was declining. He observed that this was due to the destruction of the coral reefs around the area due to illegal fishing practices of the fishermen. These coral habitats for fishes were destroyed and would take several years to regenerate. As a result the fishermen wandered far out into the sea beyond the bay just to catch more fish to earn a decent living. The foray into other fishing grounds was risky and took so much effort and resources. There were also times when the catch was not worth the effort. A fisherman, himself, he decided to take positive steps to find solutions to the nagging problem facing their group. A stroke of luck brought them to PSTC-Occidental Mindoro personnel at Mamburao who advised them about coastal resource management and the creation of artificial reefs to address the issue of declining catch. The construction of artificial reefs creates a marine habitat which leads to the increase of the number of species living in a given marine ecosystem. It helps in the recovery and development of quality fishing grounds that has a direct benefit to fisherfolks.

So in 2013, Ragasras Dungon Association, Inc. (RDAI), 49-member strong, appealed to the PSTC Occidental Mindoro to help them rehabilitate their fishing grounds. A proposal was presented before the RTEC which subsequently gave it a nod for the approval of the Regional Director. With the speedy release of funds the association was able to complete five (5) artificial reefs from the GIA assistance worth PhP 172,500.00. The artificial reefs were inverted pyramidal bamboo structures and embellished with coconut fronds. These were weighed down by concrete block anchors and kept uprightly afloat by styrofoam blocks. Fish were drawn to them as planktons and scuttle fish eggs, food for the fishes, were deposited in these contraptions. As more and more fishes were drawn to the area, these artificial reefs started to host colonies of marine organisms and schools of fishes. Slowly the Ragasras Bay began to live again to the delight of the members of the association. DOST-MIMAROPA RD Abilay and staff visit the

Ragasras Dungon Fisherfolks Association, Inc.


What a Double Relief!

Eight (8) months after the project was implemented, the local fishermen need not go to deeper parts of the sea for fishing. Fish gathering around the artificial reefs which were positioned in the shallow areas of the Bay made fishing more convenient. To sustain fish population, pangangawil or pamimingwit (using hook and line) was the only allowed method of fishing to avoid catching small fish and regulate the volume of fish being caught. This agreed upon fishing method allowed the fishes to grow to desirable size and weight.

Moreover, members and non-members of the association were obliged to pass through an inspection by the association’s secretary before they got home with their catch. This was made to record the volume as well as the species of the fish caught. The association has a complete documentation of individuals who did fishing in the area with the corresponding quantity and kind of fish caught within the bounds of the constructed bamboo reef.

In November 8, 2013 Typhoon Yolanda hit the island of Mindoro and caused damage to coastal villages including the installed buoys of the artificial reefs of RDAI. Through their group’s initiative and saved funds, the members replaced the buoys and rehabilitated the artificial reefs. Fishing was restored in no time, thanks to the community-minded spirit of the members.

With DOST-DOLE convergence efforts by the PSTC, assistance was also provided by the partner agency to the association. The Department of Labor and Employment granted financial assistance amounting to PhP 500,000.00 for the purchase of post-harvest equipment that included one (1) unit immersion freezer, one (1) unit vacuum sealer machine, and fermentation vats. These equipment were purchased to enhance the post-harvest handling and preservation of dimersal fish caught from the artificial reef. Fish processing as a result of DOLE assistance became the second source of income for the fishermen-members.

Sustaining Relief

In less than a year of implementation, members and non-members of RDAI realized the importance of conserving the habitat and breeding grounds for fishes. Fishermen need not go farther to fish and spend more for their boat’s fuel; the money saved for fuel was instead used for other household needs. They could never be happier with the increased catch and better income.

At present, the association continues its advocacies in protecting the marine environment under the supervision of Chairman Segundo B. Maguad Jr. The initiative of the group to put up the artificial reef reduced the load for the natural reefs in the area. These are now starting to regenerate and made Ragasras Bay a potential dive spot and boating area for foreign and local tourists. The association plans to make this as their next move for income generation. People with a stake on the Bay are enjoined by the group to get more involvement. The Municipal Tourism Office supports the association in developing Ragasras Bay as a tourist destination.

In promoting Ragasras Bay as an attraction, the citizens should continue to participate in its preservation efforts and support the association’s undertakings. Sustaining this endeavor will create job opportunities and will open a brighter prospect for the economic development of the municipality.

A member of the association poses with an artificial bamboo reef for installation at Ragasras Bay.

a joint project of:

Contact Us!

http://region4b.dost.gov.ph • http://mimaropaventures.ph

DR. MA. JOSEFINA P. ABILAYRegional Director

DR. BILSHAN F. SERVAÑEZChief Science Research SpecialistTSD

ENGR. BOBBY C. MATIRAChief Administrative OfficerFAD

4F PTRI Building, Gen. Santos Avenue,Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro ManilaTel. No. (63 2) 837-2071 loc 2092Telefax (63 2) [email protected]

MARIA ETHELWILDA G. CORONACIONPSTD, PSTC-Occidental Mindoro2F E. Francisco Bldg., 1843 Juan Luna St., Labangan, Poblacion, San Jose, Occidental MindoroTelefax (043) [email protected]

JESSE M. PINEPSTD, PSTC-Oriental Mindoro2F HM Center Bldg., J.P. Rizal St., Camilmil,Calapan City, Oriental MindoroTelefax: (043) [email protected]

BERNARDO T. CARINGALPSTD, PSTC-MarinduquePSTC Bldg., PEO Capitol Compound,Bangbangalon, Boac, MarinduqueTelefax: (042) [email protected]

MARCELINA V. SERVAÑEZPSTD, PSTC-RomblonPSTC Bldg., Tabing-dagat,Odiongan, RomblonTelefax: (042) [email protected]

ENGR. PACIFICO T. SARIEGO IIIPSTD, PSTC-PalawanPSTC Bldg., Sta. Monica,Puerto Princesa City, PalawanTelefax: (048) [email protected]

http://mimaropaventures.ph

http://region4b.dost.gov.ph

http://mimaropaventures.ph

MIM

AROPA Stars

Volu me 2

Success stories of SETUP-assistedand community-based projects

Edited by

Ma. Josefina P. Abilay • Christine M. PineBilshan F. Servañez • Jerry B. Mercado

Editor-in-Chief Ma. Josefina P. Abilay

Associate Editors Christine M. PineBilshan F. ServañezJerry B. Mercado

Contributors Maria Ethelwilda G. CoronacionJesse M. PineBernardo T. CaringalMarcelina V. ServañezPacifico T. Sariego III

Cover and Layout Design Cyd Francis D. Recidoro

Printing and Circulation Bobby C. MatiraCyd Francis D. Recidoro

DOST-MIMAROPA4th Floor DOST-PTRI Building, Gen. Santos Avenue

Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesTel. Nos. (63 2) 837-2071loc. 2092-93

Telefax No. (63 2) 837-3755e-Mail: [email protected]



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MIMAROPA Stars Vol. II

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