MSME receives gov’t support to innovate, upgrade equipment
By Nida
Grace P. Barcena
The assistance from the government addressed the challenges of the business with regard to increasing customer orders that were handled by manual operational and production processes that unfortunately resulted in poor product output and delivery to the clientele.
The Amolata couple who own the Tabog’s Food Products and and Catering Services, shared their humble beginnings when they embarked their remarkable business journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, when almost everyone and everywhere were tested and put to the ground. The hiatus inspired them instead to think and consider some possibilities on how to become productive despite the challenging situation. They started with a meager initial capital P350.00 to kick-off the business venture, which fortunately blossomed into a promising business that specialized on ginisang alamang, chili paste, pork humba, among others.
Handmade with love and passion, the demand for their products began to surge and continued to grow during that time, thus prompting them to formalize their business to reach a bigger market that resulted in the expansion of their product lines.
The food business entered the online market by utilizing different platforms like Shopee, and Lazada, as they offer made-to-order delicacies to customers nationwide. The presence of their online business further contributed to their rapid expansion.
They also offered food packages to nearby barangays and municipalities that now has established a good reputation in the food industry with its catering services.
With
growing demand, the couple was placed in a dilemma since the undeniable success
also called for support and assistance for the business to innovate and sustain
its production.
As a resolution, the couple sought assistance from the government as they registered in the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the DOST, with the primary purpose of upgrading their production equipment, increasing productivity, and enhancing the production processes and product quality.
As a result, the Provincial Science and Technology Office in Surigao del Sur confirmed and extended assistance to the couple with the formal turnover of financial assistance to purchase better equipment for their food business, as witnessed by Provincial Science and Technology office chief Caressa Leanne Lim in Tagbina town.
“The transformation of the home kitchen to a thriving enterprise is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that resides within many Filipinos, “ Lim shared.
The Amolata couple and their Tabog’s Food Products and Catering Services are testaments that we have a good government that sees the needs of the MSMEs. This served as an inspiration to existing and aspiring ones on how innovation and government support can sustain a remarkable business journey. (NGPB/ PIA-Surigao del Sur)
