Two MSME beneficiaries of the Department of Science and Technology’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in Negros Occidental won awards at the 2022 SETUP 4.0 awarding ceremonies at the World Trade Center in Pasay City Nov. 24.
Herbanext Laboratories Inc., based in Bago City, and the Negros Prawn Producers Cooperative in Bacolod City were awarded as national finalists for the SETUP Praise Award. The latter was also the recipient of the Most Resilient Award for MSMEs, or Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Filbake Food Corporation, based in Kalibo, Aklan, meanwhile, was declared the 2022 iReady, or Most Industry 4.0 Ready Award for MSMEs, national awardee, the DOST6 said, adding it is a food manufacturing company that supplies bakery and other food products through its local bakery brand, Bread and Butter.
With the DOST SETUP assistance, it improved the company’s product quality and safety, enhanced compliance to food safety requirements, increased production volume and sales, and has provided employment opportunities, it added.
Herbanext Laboratories Inc. is also a finalist in this category, the DOST said.
Herbanext Lab said Region 6 had the most number of national finalists, “proof that our regional DOST is doing a great job. Thank you director Rowen Gelonga for effectively capacitating industries in Western Visayas.” ||
