The key to edging out their competitors? Go beyond the usual.

This is exactly what Raiisa Vargas, owner of Elisha Bay Dagupan Bangus and Seafoods did for their business to thrive in Dagupan City where milkfish, locally known as "bangus" is the province's pride.

Dagupan has a reputation for providing the best milkfish in the country with significant market acceptability and this is why Raiisa, together with his husband Randy, decided to offer it not only in the country but also to the international market.

They took advantage of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2018. Their pursuit of quality products paved the way for progress and development from the humble beginning of bangus' vacuum packing.

SETUP is DOST’s flagship program assisting MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to boost their operation and improve productivity. The program offers a package of interventions such as equipment upgrading, human resource development, technical consultancy services and laboratory analyses, among others.

According to DOST, the family proceeded to the Phase II of the program (2020) without hesitations as the assistance brought significant changes and remarkable results to the business. Scientific and technological interventions extended through the program including the acquisition and upgrading of equipment for productivity and operational improvement.

Relevant services such as but not limited to laboratory tests were also provided in addition to the conduct of food safety assessment and conduct of Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

All the hard work of the family and the linkages between DOST and other agencies have paid off as the firm received its Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval and certificate from the Philippines and USA. Their products have been FDA approved and registered, known as an FDA Approved Food Manufacturer, US FDA Food Facility Registered, and is a proud member of the Pangasinan Entrepreneurs Development Association, Inc. (PEDAI) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT).

The firm was able to secure its FDA's License to Operate in 2019 and US FDA Food Facility Registration last February 2021.

Their business now offers Dagupan Boneless Bangus in different flavors such as Pesto, Garlic, Hainanese, Asian Steak, Spicy Masala, and Chili Garlic. Bottled Gourmet Bangus is available in olive oil, original and spicy adobo style in corn oil, pesto flavored in olive oil, bangus with tomato sauce, bangus with tumeric in olive oil, bangus hawaiian style, bangus with sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, ba-yo in corn oil, pesto tuyo delizioso, and tuyo delizioso.

The provision of the best and high-quality gourmet bangus and tuyo available in various flavors is now a staple part of local markets and has been made available in California, Texas, Washington, Florida, and San Francisco.

Part of their business' goal is to also provide employment opportunities to the differently abled community and the underprivileged women in the area.

Members of the media were accompanied by DOST Region I and DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) to Elisha Bay Dagupan Bangus and Seafoods as part of the 2022 Regional Science & Technology Week.