IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, July 23 (PIA) – RGV Rice Trading firm recently received ₱1,410,000.00 fund assistance from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP).

The innovation fund (iFund) granted to beneficiary, RGV Rice Trading in Diplahan town, was utilized to procure an 8.5 tons mechanical dryer that is expected to help the firm boost not only its trading activity but improve the quality of produce and increase productivity as well.

RGV Rice Trading proprietor Ricardo Villa is thankful to the government through the DOST for making his dream become a reality, i.e. to acquire a set of drying facility. He said, the innovation will allow him to hire three additional employees from his locality and that he is glad to be able to contribute to creating job opportunities specially at this time of COVID19 pandemic.

Provincial S&T Center Head Jennifer Pidor said that the fabrication of the mechanical dryer is on-going as DOST-9 facilitated the withdrawal of funds for the partial payment of the said equipment.

Meanwhile, the RGV Rice Trading firm is presently working on renovations and enhancement of its building to prepare for the arrival of the mechanical dryer.

DOST-SETUP is one of the flagship programs of the Department that provides innovation fund assistance that encourages micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technological innovations to improve business operations through different technological interventions such as acquisition of innovative and cost-effective facilities, product development, process improvement, workforce capacity empowerment, and consultancy services, among others. (RVC/EDT/JPA/PIA9-Zamboanga Sibugay)