The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) has renewed its commitment to continue implementing research and development (R&D) development initiatives and provide technical assistance to forest-based industries and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
DOST-FPRDI Director Dr. Romulo T. Aggangan made the pledge, two weeks before the Institute's 64th anniversary celebration on July 5-9 with the theme “Pagbangon at Pag-asa sa Panahon ng Pandemya”.
“We are more than a year into this global health crisis, yet most of us are still finding ways to manage its impacts,” he said in a statement on Monday, June 21.
“The Institute continues to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as they are among the most hard-hit sectors. Through the agency’s technologies and upgraded technical services, DOST-FPRDI helps keep local small businesses afloat amid the challenges brought by the pandemic,” he added.
The FPRDI said one of the highlights of its anniversary celebration is the launch of the state-of-the-art Technovation Hub on July 5.
Technovation Hub features three of its newest facilities: the Forest Products Innovation and Training Center, the Bamboo Musical Instruments (BMI) Processing Center, and the Forest Products Technology Business Incubator (TBI).
“The Hub houses state-of-the-art facilities that can be accessed by businesses venturing into furniture, handicraft, housing and bamboo musical instruments production, among others. We believe that with innovation and R&D support, small enterprises can sustain their growth and be more competitive here and abroad,” Aggangan said.
He said the hub aims to upscale the capacity of the wood and non-wood forest-based industries and make them “more efficient and competitive”.
Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/20/teknolohiyang-gubat-state-of-the-art-technovation-hub-to-be-launched-in-july/
“We also ensure that sufficient technical and marketing support are given to wood and non-wood forest-based industries thru our TBI. By providing business development services to our clients, we increase their chances of sustainably adopting our technologies,” FPRDI top official said.
During the anniversary celebration, the Institute is also expected to conduct a consultative dialogue with the forest-based sector on July 7 to ensure that its services and technologies are more responsive to the needs of industry partners.
A free training-webinar on furniture making will be held on July 8, a day after the inauguration of the Technovation Hub.
“With the economy in recession because of the COVID pandemic, it is important that MSMEs get all the support they need to survive. Our commitment to better serve our clients has not faltered, and has even become stronger as we all work together to help mitigate the effects of this global crisis,” Aggangan said.