SIQUIJOR, Feb
1(PIA)--Experts from the Manufacturing Productivity Expansion Program (MPEX),
Food Safety Team and Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity Enhancement
(CAPE) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) recently
visited the productions plants and farms in Siquijor as part of its consultancy
and training programs.
Engr. Gilberto Nakila
and Engr. Dennis Kilongkilong served as consultants for MPEX while Senior
Science Research Specialist II Josie Elli served as trainer/resource speaker in
behalf of the Food Safety Team Joselito Payot represented CAPE.
JH Furniture, 2KIR
Furniture and Jermaine’s Bakeshoppe were this year’s beneficiaries for MPEX
consultancy program. They were also Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading
Program (SETUP) beneficiaries.
Prior to the plant
visit, the consultants had a short orientation to the beneficiaries about MPEX
and its objectives.
According to
DOST, MPEX assists micro, small and medium enterprises in the
manufacturing sector to attain higher productivity through improvements in the
overall operation of the firm.
Simultaneously, a
two-day training on Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) was
conducted by Senior SRS Elli of DOST-7 Food Safety Team at the Smylen Dream
Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coco Oil & Gen. Merchandise manufacturing plant
in Candaping-B, Maria, Siquijor.
The in-house
training/seminar assists the firm to be ready for its application for GMP
certificate and License to Operate (LTO).
In another
development, Joselito Payot a consultant of CAPE conducted a site visit on the
farms of Maricar Masayon to assess technical feasibility and areas
of priority in farm management. Discussions were made with the
beneficiary for possible interventions and recommendations to problems
identified.
In an interview with
Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña, he
said the consultancy program is offered free to all SETUP beneficiaries.
He said he is
optimistic that the consultancy could enhance the productivity of the firms
identified upon adaptation of the would-be measures for improvement.
In return, the
beneficiaries pledged to extend their full cooperation during the conduct of
the consultancy program. So far, a number of firms have availed of the
consultancy program in the province since its implementation.
(mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing/DOST-Siquijor)