'7, H\HV 060( IDEULFDWLRQ ODE

A FABRICATION laboratory for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) is eyed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao Region by the third quarter of 2018.

The laboratory is targeted to be housed at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep). DTI Davao Region Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist Rachel Remitio said this is the only shared service facility (SSF) for 2018 yet but they are hoping for additional funds for other projects in the pipeline.

A total of P7 to P10 million will be allotted for this laboratory and it will be of help for the production of prototypes of products for MSMEs. The laboratory will house hightech machines and laser printers among others.

Taking into consideration the procurement process for this amount and the delivery timeline from suppliers, the target procurement time would be by third quarter of the year.

“Other projects in the pipeline are the shoe making facility and other food processing facilities,” Remitio said.

In DTI website, SSF project are the major component of the MSME Development project. It has the objective of improving the competitiveness of MSMEs by providing them machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills, and knowledge under a shared system.

Last year, Senate Committee Chair on Finance Senator Loren Legarda, who is the principal sponsor and author of Republic Act No. 9501 also known as the Magna Carta for MSMEs, increased funding support for the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program to P1 billion nationwide. This amount, she said, would enhance the productivity and competitiveness of MSMEs in the country.

From this amount P200 million will be allotted for the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) that implement livelihood initiatives, P100 million for Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs), and P50 for the MSMEs affected by the Marawi Siege. SunStar Philippines