DOST 11 to launch incubation program

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will soon give a wider range of support to countryside entrepreneurs with the establishment of its Community Technology Business Incubation program this year, a statement said.
According to Technology Resource Center (TRC) Director Dennis Cunanan, the program, which is an offshoot of the agency’s Open Technology Business Incubation (Open TBI), will be implemented through its regional offices.
A technology business incubator, or TBI, is a program that helps entrepreneurial companies and start-up businesses to take off and develop through its array of business support resources and services. Some of TBI services include business space for rent, marketing assistance, accounting/financial management assistance, links to partners, help with regulatory compliance, and others.
In addition to helping entrepreneurs start up their businesses, the agency also helps overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to start over through its free livelihood trainings to displaced OFWs.
DOST, in partnership with Duty Free Philippines, likewise offers livelihood packages such as washing machines for Laundromat business or car tools for automobile service business through its Kabuhayan Shopping Program.
“The TRC has been the industry leader in terms of livelihood training and technology resource for nearly 35 years. In keeping up with its mandate of creating opportunities, TRC will continue improving and innovating its programs to be able to enhance the productivity of more sectors,” DOST Secretary Mario Montejo for his part said.
“This year, TRC will focus on sectors like the youth, women, senior citizens and OFW’s… Expanding our services will enable us to serve more sectors and, this way, people can identify themselves and find their place in the whole picture,” Cunanan said.
“Creating opportunities is a continuous process. We will not stop from now and make sure that the workforce of the center will adapt to the changing times and we will be still relevant and effective as an institution. The people deserve nothing less,” he added.
Aside from strengthening its public-private partnerships, TRC’s programs also includes commercialization of affordable baby food products developed by Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (DOST)