DOST Helps MSMEs

The government has upgraded services of its program assisting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance competitiveness based on their level of development considering the rapid emergence of Industry 4.0 and the debilitating effects of the pandemic.

Photo Insert: DOST-VI Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga enumerated enterprise-level strategies under SETUP 4.0.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said that under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) 4.0, the department’s interventions will now not only benefit the individual firms.

“We will also be providing industry-level interventions, making sure that each industry under our priority sectors is following a set roadmap that is directed towards transitioning to the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he said during the recent DOST-National Capital Region SETUP e-caravan.

De la Peña said MSMEs will be categorized based on their development level, and the assistance the DOST will provide them will be based on their category.

“The more developed MSMEs will be ushered towards Industry 4.0 while the rest will be assisted such that they will be prepared to transition to the same in the near future,” he added.

DOST-VI Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga said enterprise-level strategies under SETUP 4.0 include providing access to new technologies and innovations; delivering technical, digital, and other critical support; and ensuring enterprise resiliency and continuity.

“Our one special focus at the SETUP 4.0 is that irrespective of the level of development of your company, we will try to come up with digitalization or digitization as well as digitalization support. And of course, we are giving special emphasis also in terms of resiliency and continuity and we know how important this is during times not only of pandemic but in times of hazards and other calamities,” he said.

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