FABLAB, DIGIHUB LAUNCHED

DTI 11-led project is aimed at giving avenue for ideation, invention, and innovation among MSMEs, students, and professionals in Davao Region

The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry 11 (DTI 11) launches today a Fabrication Laboratory cum DigiHub for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The launching ceremony takes place at the Industrial Electronics and Mechatronics Training Center (IEMTC), College of Technology, University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) – Obrero Campus, Davao City.

The project led by DTI 11 is in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology 11 (DOST 11) and Usep. It is one of the Shared Services Facility (SSF) projects of DTI11.

“It aims to provide a venue for ideation, invention and innovation among MSMEs, students, and professionals all over the region,” DTI said in a press briefer on Wednesday.

Among the available equipment in facility are the 3D printer, laser cutter, large format printer, CNC cutter, handheld 3D laser scanner, UV printer, embroidery machine, heat press for fabric, and Tungsten Inert Gas(TIG) -welding.

DTI - Davao City assistant regional director Edwin O. Banquerigo said in a previous interview the facility will support enterprises that are into furniture, wood industry, and the metal sector. For the food sector, the assistance will be more on the packaging.

SSF is a project of DTI targeted to give MSMEs access to better technology and sophisticated equipment to become more competitive in the field.

In 2017, Senate finance committee chair 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 SSF program to P1 billion nationwide. This amount, she said, would enhance the productivity and competitiveness of MSMEs in the country.