LOS BAŇOS, Laguna, Feb. 12 (PNA) –- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Calabarzon Regional Office here announced that newer, faster and hi-tech equipment are set to transform Laguna’s small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) food processing operations.
Adelia M. Guevarra, DOST Calabarzon S & T media services manager disclosed Wednesday the four SMEs in the province which benefit from the DOST’s Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
Guevarra said the four firms received the financial packages worth P6.54 million to increase the firms’ production efficiency.
Engr. Samuel L. Caperiña, DOST-Laguna S&T director has already facilitated the fabrication of the firms’ equipment and hi-tech machines under the SETUP.
Green Harvest Food Products owned by Abner L. Gozo based in San Pablo City has improved the production efficiency with the new equipment as it specializes in the production of frozen and preserved fruits and vegetables.
With the P1.55-million assistance, the Laguna SME acquired the steam jacketed kettle, steam boiler, vacuum sealer, industrial oven and banana chipper.
In Santa Rosa City, Ehje’s Homemade Products owned by Jennilyn M. Aquino is expected to boost its product quality with the P2-million financial package from DOST.
The funding assistance is to equip the SME with automatic piston filling machine that will shorten bottling time for crunchy and creamy peanut butter and other peanut by-products.
Perla Escaba of Escaba Food Products also in San Pablo City acquired a solid-liquid filling machine for the processed light syrup from assorted preserved fruits.
According to S & T science manager Guevarra, the filling machine works through a programmable logical controller and pneumatic system.
The equipment assures automation of multiple inputs and output arrangements and withstands extended temperature ranges and resistant to vibration and impact thus resulting to enhanced production.
In Pila, Laguna, Mauricio C. Mariñas of Marinas Technologies Inc. received P0.99 million in financial assistance to acquire several sets of modern precision equipment.
The Laguna Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) already facilitated the purchase of 22 units of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding machines including air plasma arc machine, band saw among others.
According to Guevarra, the Mariñas Technologies Inc. used to rely on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).
The firm now uses new machines and orders have soared to 250 job orders for clients resulting in some P40 million in gross sales a year.(PNA)