DOST-NCR Affirms Support for Shoes and Leathercraft Technopreneurs and Startups in Marikina TBI Event 

The Department of Science and Technology National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) affirmed its support for MSMEs and startups in the shoes and leathercrafts industry during the Marikina Polytechnic College (MPC) Reinnovate Shoes and Leathercrafts for Entrepreneurship Startups (ReSOLES) Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Awareness Campaign, held last 24 January 2025 in the City of Marikina.  

In her message at the event, DOST-NCR Regional Director, Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles, elaborated on the numerous programs and other initiatives that DOST has been doing to support the industry, especially the startup incubators. She also emphasized that DOST-NCR will assess the program’s technical requirements and leverage its science and technology expertise to help implement technology-based enterprises, ensuring that local startups thrive in a dynamic and innovative ecosystem.   

Micro, small and medium enterprises often struggle with the numerous challenges that come with running a business, as their smaller size limits the resources available for launching and scaling production. A significant number of these businesses are based in the NCR. To address these challenges, MPC-ReSOLES TBI was established to support early-stage businesses, specifically those in the shoe and leathercraft industries, by utilizing modern technology as a key resource. MPC-ReSOLES TBI will also provide essential services such as training, brokering, and financing, with the aim of creating new technology-driven enterprises and promoting technology transfer.   

Other key officials at the event were MPC President, Dr. Rene M. Colocar, DTI-NCRO Regional Director, Mr. Winston T. Singun, Director III of the ICT Industry Development Bureau of the DICT, Dr. Jhino B. Ilano, President of the Strategic and Collaborative Alliance for Leveraging  Ecosystem of Startups in NCR (SCALE NCR), Ms. Maria Cristina L. Ibañez, Deputy Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD, Engr. Niñaliza H. Escorial, and Supervising Science Research Specialist and Officer-in-Charge of the DOST-NCR PAMAMARISAN Clustered Area Science and Technology Office, Mr. Oscar B. Sevilla, Jr. 

By:  Faith Barbie Lei Robles , Noel G. Calcetas and Pinky Marcelo