DBM Conducts On-Site Visit to DOST-NCR Assisted Projects
06 September 2022 - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Bureau-F headed by Director Elena Regina S. Brillantes and the DOST-National Capital and conducted an all-day visit to DOST-NCR-assisted projects specifically in CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) and MUNTAPARLAS (Muntinlupa, Taguig, Paranaque, Pateros, and Las Pinas) areas.
The on-site visit started with an overview presentation by DOST-NCR Regional Director Jose B. Patalinjug III on the DOST-NCR's programs, projects, services, and beneficiaries for the previous and present year, including proposed projects for fiscal year 2023 onwards. The DBM Team also took a quick tour in the DOST-NCR Regional Office in Taguig.
The DBM then proceeded to the first project site which was the Taha M. Basman Memorial Islamic Foundation, Inc. in Maharlika Village, Taguig City. Funded under DOST-NCR's Regional Grants-in-Aid (RGIA) Program, the Taha Foundation provides livelihood opportunities for the orphans and single mothers of Maharlika Village. The group also promotes local Muslim delicacies, ensuring compliance with Food Safety and Halal requirements. One of their products is the thermally processed "Beef Randang", which was co-developed by the DOST-NCR Food Safety Team.
Known as one of the prominent exotic foods in the country, the "Balut" of Pateros was also visited, highlighting its revival through the DOST's S&T intervention. DOST-NCR provided a five-door unit of Balut incubator to Pateros LGU, which operates the production of 16,000 balut per week and provides livelihood and employment to at least 100 Balut dealers and workers.
The DBM also visited Queenbee Enterprise which manufactures "chilled taho" and soy milk. Queenbee acquired grinding machine, soya separator/filter, cooling tank, tofu presser, and soya extractor under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Progra (SETUP). Recently, Queenbee also engaged with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines for a collaborative research and development project on okara wastes which was funded under the DOST-NCR Regional Grants-In-Aid (RGIA) Program.
Another company visited was the Ideatechs Packaging Corp., formerly known as Greenpak Paper Package Manufacturing. In 2016, the company became a SETUP cooperator to upgrade its production of paper cups, paper bowls, and paper meal boxes through the acquisition of paper bowl forming machines. Ideatechs Packaging Corp. was awarded as the National Winner for the 2021 DOST SETUP PRAISE Award for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).
Capping off the activity was a tour in Malabon City featuring the Agri-Source Hydroponic Farm of Mr. Albert Tubera, a seafarer, and beneficiary of the DOST Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) Program. Through the hydroponic system, the startup business was able to produce and sell distinct types of lettuce such as romaine, tiberius, lalique, dabi, granite, and olmetie since July 2021.
Said project visit was joined by Ms. Rosario S. Nunez, Ms. Mona Liza Basa, and Ms. Ana Kristina Fuentebella from the DBM-Bureau F and other DOST-NCR personnel.
