DOST broadens opportunities for MSMEs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the fast-paced evolution of technology, the Department of Science and Technology here has urged the MSME sector to adopt new innovation in order to improve the standard of living for all.

MSME refers to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and DOST Science Research Specialist Jon Michael Semilla said the integration of technology will benefit the public and enhance MSMEs' operations.

“Just recently, we helped a small business from Misamis Oriental adopt the iodine-rich drinking water or Tubig Talino from DOST, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute. Currently, the adopter and FNRI are on Step 6 on finalizing the licensing agreement, and eventually, they will start the production of Tubig Talino in CDO,” he said.

He said when a technology is adopted for commercial use, its intellectual property rights are protected, and the technology owner must pay a DOST licensing fee, a one-time down payment fee, and a royalty fee, and technologies that benefit and help improve the lives of the general public will be exempt from licensing fees.

DOST-10 technologies are developed by sectoral and research and development institutions, which are divided into five sectors: agricultural productivity; disaster resilience; IT development; MSME competitiveness; and quality healthcare, according to Semilla.

“Sa lima ka province, nagsugod nata og commercialize atong technology gitawag og enhanced Nutri-bun, gi-enhance na na siya sa DOST and ginabaligya na na siya sa mga adopters nga naa sa Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, ug Misamis Occidental. Usually ginagamit ni siya sa mga LGUs ug sa DepEd para sa mga feeding programs sa mga bata ug uban beneficiaries,” he said. (GKD)