Baguio City – Two firms assisted by the DOST-CAR through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP are among the winners of the 2021 Regional Productivity Olympics of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-CAR, which was announced on July 28, 2021.
Palayen Farms in Mountain Province and The Health 100 Restoreant in Baguio City were recognized in the micro-agribusiness category and medium-service category, respectively as winners in the Productivity Olympics. This is a national competition on best practices on survival and resiliency in the new normal of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) nationwide
This year, five (5) micro, three (3) small, and two (2) medium enterprises from the Cordillera region were nominated in the competition, which highlights establishments that have demonstrated resilience and overcame difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to reach their targets, sustain growth, while preserving jobs. Rallying behind its theme “Bounce Back Better”, the 2021 Productivity Olympics is also a confidence-building strategy for MSMEs who are still reeling from the impacts of the pandemic.
RB-CAR’s regional winners will be endorsed to the National Screening Committee for the selection of national finalists who will advance to the final selection level, the National Judging Panel.
Palayen Farms, which is owned and managed by Jovito Palayen and located in Tiking, Monamon Sur, Bauko, Mt. Province, has been a SETUP cooperator since 2016. As a result of the technical assistance and provision of equipment on the drip irrigation system, the farm’s production increased by 45% and gross sales by 42%, with two (2) additional market outlets and four (4) additional employees hired.
Meanwhile, Health 100 Restoreant, which is owned and managed by Elmer Macalingay and located in Magsaysay, Baguio City has been enrolled in the SETUP since 2014 and is currently on its 2nd phase of the DOST program. With support through the provision of technical consultancy services under the DOST-Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program and equipment upgrades, the firm has increased its gross sales by 30% and has expanded into three (3) market outlets. Even with government support however, it is important to note that this recognition is highly credited to the innovation and resiliency of both firms ensuring that their respective businesses will survive the pandemic.
For its part, DOST-CAR continues to ensure that science works for the people of the Cordilleras through the implementation of responsive science, technology, and innovation (STI) programs to achieve productivity and quality excellence. // Christian Robert Sandoval
