To Strengthen MSMEs and Community-Based Projects “Nasa Siyensya ang Pag-asa”

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo in his message delivered during the DOST-NCR Stakeholders Summit on December 9, 2011 at Heritage Hotel, Pasay City said that to strengthen micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and community-based projects “Nasa Siyensya ang Pag-asa”.

With their mantra in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), “Nasa Siyensya ang Pag-asa”, they believe that the country’s problems, including those of micro business can be addressed through the application of science and technology, he said.

Relative to this, they come up with research technologies and innovations that are anchored in these principles: technologies that support focused programs, technologies that produce world-class results and technologies that transform people lives.

Programs in DOST are being strengthened, including SETUP. Funding of SETUP has been increased this year and next year about 400 million pesos for the implementation of SETUP in the 16 regional offices will be allocated. This will help more companies and communities to avail of comprehensive technical assistance packages, he also said.

DOST is committed to help their MSMEs to become active players in the global market by enhancing their productivity to meet international standards.

They also support other areas under SETUP such as electronics and information technology. Estimate investments in the local semiconductor and electronics industry from the data from Semiconductor and Electronic Industries of the Philippines, Inc., (SEIPI) reach $1.3 billion dollars last year.

This shows an effort growth of 46 percent as of the end of October last year. Projections show this year and possibly $50 billion by 2015.

In the IT and microelectronics sector, DOST-NCR Director Teresita Fortuna has already had a number of meetings with SEIPI and other industry representatives to see where MSMEs could come in, especially in manufacturing parts that otherwise have been imported.

Information Technology Industry Research Analyst Business Monitor International sees the Philippines IT market growing from a projected $3.0 billion in 2011 to around $4.3 billion in 2015.

The figures are impressive, yet this could be more if we can take advantage of revenues that are coming from outsourcing, which the Philippines is only third with a 7.4 percent share behind India and China.

“But again the crucial thing is that we first need to get our acts together. We need to train people who can make the most out of innovative technologies” Montejo said.

He also said that only by successful knowledge transfer can technologies really be transformational. Estrella Z. Gallardo, PSciJourn MegaManila