SAN FERNANDO CITY, June 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology-Regional Office 1 (DOST-1) recently awarded financial assistance that reached P3.1 million to three enterprises, one firm and two associations, in the province of La Union. 

These enterprises are the JC Laroco Rice Mill, San Antonio Rice Wine Production Association, and Balecbec Cassava Producers Association.

JC Laroco Rice Mill with owner Jennifer C. Laroco is a firm located at Barangay Lloren in the municipality of Tubao.

It received the major chunk of the cash assistance amounting to P2.95 million which will allow them to adopt iron fortified rice technology and become the supplier for towns in the second district of the province.

It graduated from the DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in 2016 and now on the second phase of the program.

Further, the San Antonio Rice Wine Production Association and the Balecbec Cassava Producers Association, both associations located in Naguilian town, received fund assistance under the DOST Community-Based Program Grants-in-Aid.

The San Antonio Rice Wine Production Association, an association that produces rice wine (tapey) was granted P60,850 for the acquisition of auto siphon, stainless steel tanks, and working table to comply with food safety standards.

On the other hand, the Balecbec Cassava Producers Association, an association that produces cassava chips, was awarded with cash aid worth P123,000.

Said assistance will be used for the improvement of their product design, packaging, and labeling and for the acquisition of a multi-function vegetable slicer and stainless steel working tables to comply with food safety standards.

The awarding ceremony was led by Dr. Armando Q. Ganal, DOST-1 Regional Director, and attended by the owner of the said enterprises. (JCR/AMB/JPD, PIA La Union)