GOVPH

With the goal to empower its local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region, Cagayan Valley featured ‘smart moves’ for MSMEs in this year’s celebration of the Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) in region 2.

In the Philippines, MSMEs are considered the backbone of the economy as they make up over 99 percent of businesses in the country, generating majority of the country’s employment. It also contributes about 40 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Through the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) flagship programs like Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), MSMEs across the country have improved their operations, products and services through the assistance of DOST’s regional offices.

In Cagayan Valley alone, more than 1,000 small enterprises were assisted according to DOST-Region 2 Director Dr. Virginia G. Bilgera.

“The Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) remains one of our strongest pillars, awarding over 80-million-[pesos] funding to 51 MSMEs this year. And empowering over 1,190 small enterprises in the region since its implementation in 2002,” Bilgera said.

Among the highlights of the 2025 RSTW in Cagayan Valley is the inauguration of the project ARTIC or the Adaptive Robotics Technology and Intelligent Computing Center at St. Mary’s University, Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya.

This initiative is designed to improve food industries by integrating adaptive robotics and intelligent computing into food production, processing, and distribution. It aims to enhance productivity, ensure food safety, improve quality control and promote sustainability.

In a press conference on Thursday, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Enrico Paringit said that this initiative is part of the agency’s strategy to strengthen Industry 4.0 where robotics and mechatronics are among its components.

“Kagaya po nang sinabi ng ating mahal na Secretary, kailangan din kasi mabigyan na natin ng panibagong perspektibo yung ating mga SMEs kung paano nila pwedeng i-automate at ang kanilang mga proseso sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga robot. Akala kasi natin ang robot ito yung gumagalaw, magsasalita,” Paringit said.

He further explained that there are robotics in the industry that are used in simple repetitive and cognitive skills such as for example moving boxes and how to pack products.

Moreover, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang said that there are at least five companies in the country that are ready to transform into Industry 4.0, and purchase equipment that will use robots. This is based on the initial assessment of the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development’s (DOST-MIRDC) program.

Mabborang is pertaining to the MIRDC’s project CUATRO (Connected and Unified Autonomous Technology and Robotics) which promotes the adoption of the industry 4.0’s technologies such as mechatronics and robotics, to enhance the country's industrial capacity for global competitiveness. 

However, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said that it would be a problem for businesses to produce human resource who will cooperate and make the robots work.

“Huwag kayong magalala, hindi papalitan ng robot ang karamihan sa mga trabaho. Usually, ang ginagawa po natin sa robot, yung mga delikadong trabaho na madaling makasugat, makamatay ng tao, o di kaya ay mapabilis yung programa, yung production. So ibig sabihin, kapag lumago ang isang kumpanya, mas marami pang kailangan mga tao yan, lalo na sa sales. So yan ang gusto nating hangarin,” Solidum said.

“Pero ang kulang ‘dyan ay mga magtatrabaho at magmamanipulate ng robot. Kaya importante na ibigay natin ito sa mga eskwelahan, kaysa parang drawing lang sa utak lang ng mga tao nababasa yan. And the second most important benefit, yung mga bata, mga estudyante ay makakagamit na ng robot,” Solidum added.

Aside from MSMEs, students will also benefit from the establishment of ARTIC as they will soon have a hands-on experience on robotics.

Paringit added that this kind of facility can also be found in most engineering schools with mechatronics programs and students who will have access to this may be trained and exposed to technologies and science-based solutions addressing common problems in the communities. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII )