ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/27 April) – A bakeshop operating in Dipolog City has received financial assistance worth at least P260,000 from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
SETUP is a nationwide DOST strategy to encourage and assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in implementing technological innovations and improvements in their operations to boost productivity and competitiveness.
Brenda Nazareth-Manzano, DOST Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the beneficiary as the Care Cakes and Pastries, located in Barangay Turno, Dipolog City.
The bakeshop, owned by Mariles Regencia, produces cakes and native food products, and has earned the patronage of customers, she said.
Manzano said Regencia applied for innovation support assistance.
Regencia received financial assistance amounting to P262,000 through the SETUP program to purchase dough mixer, bread slicer, stainless steel working table, proofing rack, siopao steamer, and counter-type bread showcase, she said.
Manzano said through the assistance, Regencia’s bakeshop was expected to improve its production facility, specifically on system and product improvement and manpower development.
It will also improve and standardize the firm’s product quality, increase the volume of production by 20 percent, create jobs locally and increase income by at least 20 percent, she said.
Regencia opened Care Cakes and Pastries in January 2002. (MindaNews)