“Kapag kayo ay nakipartner sa DOST, ang negosyo niyo ay tiyak na kikita”-DOST Sec. Solidum during visit in Apayao

Luna, Apayao – “Kapag kayo ay nakipag-partner sa DOST [Department of Science and Technology], ang negosyo nyo ay tiyak na kikita.”

This assurance was given by DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., while discussing with the public on Wednesday, February 21, the various projects implemented by the agency in the province of Apayao during his visit to the province.

In his speech, the government official particularly mentioned the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrade Program, or SET-UP, of the agency, which has already assisted some small and medium enterprises in the province.

Those eligible for the program are entrepreneurs who have established businesses for 3 years already, regular taxpayers, and those with good proposals and feasibility studies.

Through SET-UP, business owners could borrow up to P5 million to upgrade their business, which is payable in 3 years with zero interest.

“Pwede kayo mag-avail ng SET-UP financial support, walang interest, payable in 3 years, maximum is 5M through our partner, Landbank,” he conveyed.

When availing of a loan through the program, Solidum highlighted that the support of the agency does not end when the entrepreneur’s loan is approved. The agency will continue to support them through the provision of technical guidance.

“Once it is approved, we will guide you, provide technical guidance and expertise, and handhold you. Ang DOST hindi po nagsasabing, we will be behind you, kasi yung behind, pwedeng malayo, pwedeng sa likod lang, we will be beside you. Yun po ang aming tema,” he pledged.

Solidum was in Apayao on said day to conduct inspections on several DOST projects in the locality. He also headed to the Dumapayao Farms Corporation in Zumigui, Luna, and Apayao State College (ASC) in Luna for the proposed Science, Technology, and Innovation Hub.

Innovation hubs serve as physical facilities, furnished with the equipment and resources necessary for "turning ideas into reality" and contribute to the growth and commercialization of startup businesses as a product of science and technology.