DOST bats for green environment through cleaner MSME output

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The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is pushing for a green environment through cleaner production methods of the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

DOST, through its Industry and Technology Development Institute (ITDI) implementing a program to achieve this goal.

“In is pursuit to help abate the worsening problems in waste management, treatment, and disposal, (ITDI) is strengthening its technical capabilities in terms of trainings and seminars which are vital to producing environment champions, who will be responsible in building a greener environment for the future generation,” the agency said.

The DOST said it was alarmed that “rapid and unchecked industrialization coupled with increase in production can harm the environment.”

This kind production causes depletion of the natural and mineral reserves, and pollutes the air, water and land resources that every life form on earth needs to live well.

To help achieve a green environment, DOST launched a program for cleaner production for MSMEs dubbed Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP). It is being managed by ITDI’s Environment and Biotechnology Division.

RECP was formerly called Cleaner Production (CP) program. In 1999 to 2009, DOST implemented the Integrated Program on Clear Production (IPCP), one of its initiatives for the welfare of the environment.

ITDI designs the RECP program to establish support mechanisms for the industrial sector, particularly the MSMEs, in the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of cost-effective technologies for cleaner production.

Another objective is to provide regional MSMEs industrial extension services...and to assess environmental and economic impacts of adopting clean technologies.

DOST-ITDI will also provide assistance to MSMEs to help them in evaluation technology options as well as in examining the offers of suppliers, thereby protecting them against bad practices such as imports of prohibited or doubtful technologies.

More importantly, the DOST will also extend to the MSMEs funding assistance. The agency has a Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Technology (SETUP) project that qualified MSMEs can access to help them adopt technologies and innovations. SETUP has a P500-million budget in 2015, the same amount in 2014.

DOST-ITDI urged industry players to join in the government’s program to achieve a green environment through RECP.