DoST reports innovative firms fare better during pandemic

DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña reported that innovative firms are adjusting to the pandemic, highlighting he importance of science, technology and innovation.

“Instead of closing down or halting operation, they thought of developing new products,” he said.

The so-called shopfloor innovations were implemented by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adapt to these trying times. Due to limited resources and the uncertainty brought by the pandemic, the new strategies employed by MSMEs did not pass through the usual research and development process nor were they developed in the laboratories.

“Shopfloor innovations are industry solutions which are developed by the production people themselves while working at the production floor of a factory or manufacturing facilities,” Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda

Nazareth- Manzano explained.

While a number of businesses in the country either had to cut down on workers or close shop, others have managed to thrive even during the pandemic.

One is the Manna Shameyn Enterprises, established in 2010 by Ramil Serrano. It initially offered repair and modification services of hospital beds but later developed its own designed hospital beds, then added examination table, bedside cabinet, emergency cart, IV stand, and medicine and instrument cabinets.

Based in Tayabas City, Quezon, Greenlife Coconut Product is another innovative firm. It manufactures coconut products like virgin coconut oil (VCO) that are even exported abroad. Incidentally, the DoST together with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development and local hospitals are currently conducting research on the potential of VCO as possible ingredient to produce Covid-19 vaccine.

Greenlife’s best-selling Organic Virgin Coconut Oil can be utilized for cooking or blended into cosmetic products like soap, lotion and shampoo. The company also produces coconut nectar syrup in bottles and coconut sugar in tetra pak.

Greenlife was started in 2001 by Francisco and Emelita Rubio after having undergone several

seminars and trainings in coconut production and other related high value coconut-based products.