The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has provided P3.1 million worth of financial aid to producers of rice, rice wine, and cassava chips in La Union.
The DOST-I extended financial grant to JC Laroco Rice Mill, San Antonio Rice Wine Production Association (SARWPA) and Balecbec Cassava Producers Association (BaCPA), the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC)- La Union said in a Facebook post.
JC Laroco Rice Mill, which is based in Lloren, Tubao, La Union, received a check amounting to P2.95 million for the adoption of Iron Fortified Rice (IFR) technology. The firm, owned by Jennifer C. Laroco, is expected to serve as a supplier of the IFR for the second district of La Union.
“The firm graduated from the DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) project awarded CY (Calendar Year) 2016 and now on the second phase of the program,” the DOST-PSTC-La Union said.
The SETUP program helps improve the productivity and competitiveness of local entrepreneurs through the adoption of technology-based interventions.
The priority sectors of the program are Food processing, Furniture, Gifts, housewares, decors, Agriculture/Marine/Aquaculture, Metals and engineering, and Others (including information and communications technology (ICT), pharmaceuticals and health products).
Meanwhile, SARWPA and BCPA, which operate in Naguilian, La Union, received the agency’s assistance under its Community-Based Program (CBP) Grants-In-Aid (GIA). The program seeks to empower associations and cooperatives to sustain and improve their productive undertakings by identifying abundant commodities that have great potential for production or manufacturing intended to create livelihood and enhance the standard of living of the community.
SARWPA, which produces rice wine (tapey), got funding assistance worth almost P61,000 for the purchase of auto siphon, stainless steel tanks and working table to comply with food safety standards, the DOST-PSTC-La Union said.
BaCPA, a cassava chips producer, received assistance worth P123,000 for the improvement of the design of packaging and labeling and for the acquisition of a multi-function vegetable slicer and stainless steel working tables. The aid was aimed at helping the association to comply with the current food safety standards.