DOST upgrades a local business through technological advancements
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- Stepping into the business world is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of hard work and obstacles to overcome to achieve success.
However, today’s entrepreneurs do not have to journey on this bumpy road alone for there are numerous government programs available that will help them reach their goals, such as the Department of Science and Technology’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP).
Out of over a hundred firms in the province of Surigao del Norte which partnered with DOST, the story of JSV Fresh and Frozen Marine Products will tell you where the cool upgrade brought them now.
JSV Fresh and Frozen Marine Products began trading marine products in 1997 and have been purchasing all their ice block needs from a company in Butuan City. To gain a competitive edge in the market, Mr. Jerry S. Recones, the Proprietor, sought to improve his firm’s operations through technology advancements.
In 2016, Mr. Recones acquired an ice block maker machine through DOST-SETUP to sustain their processing, storage, and delivery of marine products. The following year, JSV Fresh and Frozen Marine Products stopped purchasing ice blocks and started producing their own to supply both their business and other traders’ demands as well. However, the capacity of the machine still cannot serve the total orders for ice blocks in the market which made the enterprise apply for another innovation fund assistance.
Prior to the firm’s first SETUP availment, JSV Fresh and Frozen Marine Products relied on purchasing ice blocks for their business operations and simply sold fresh and frozen goods locally with a workforce of 15 employees. Through SETUP, the enterprise now operates a four-ton and a 10-ton mini-ice plants both equipped with condensing units and freezing tanks charged with Freon 22 in addition to their existing equipment. This upgrade has led to a significant increase in their revenue, workforce, and market reach. As a matter of fact, Mr. Recones was able to procure an additional ice plant.
The enterprise now employs 32 workers and supplies fresh and frozen marine products not only in the province but also to other cities such as Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, and Manila. Furthermore, they are now able to supply ice blocks to marine products traders in Surigao City, Siargao Island, and Province of Dinagat Islands. (DOST-SDN/PIA- Surigao del Norte)
