In 1995, DOST V provided Php 150,000.00 to facilitate design, fabrication and operationalization of coco-coir dryer and coco-peat compacting machines. A year later, DOST-TAPI provided Php 1.7 million to acquire an imported set of coco-coir needle-felt matting and stitching equipment from Germany.

DOST Intervention resulted to the operationalization of the first-ever integrated coconut coir processing plant in the country.  

From a meager capitalization of Php 250,000 in 1995 and a 1 hectare family lot, JOBUKEN Enterprise evolved into a Php 35 million-asset industrial corporation.

The company is now partly supplying the requirements of first-world countries for environmental protection, conservation and preservation.

Since 1995, DOST assisted the company in acquiring equipment for the simple process of converting husk into high-value, globally-competitive commodities. Realizing the needs for more global demand, the company further tapped DOST through TAPI. As such, the first coco-coir needle-felt and stitching equipment was acquired.  

• technical assistance in equipment design and fabrication

• technology and equipment acquisition

To date, more than 800 households are being benefited in the province of Albay with     Php 200,000 daily net income for the beneficiaries and the organized groups. In addition, more than 500 households are being benefited in Sorsogon and Camarines Sur from the same scheme. Such beneficiaries derive income from manual coco-coir twining process with the simple equipment provided by JUBOKEN.

In the environment side, the company contracts the environmental requirements of PNOC, NPC, PGI, to name a few, of local power-generating entities. In addition, landscaping, embankment protection, erosion mitigation and other environmental-preservation activities are being contracted by the company. The erosion mitigation structure consists of coconut ropes woven into mats which are fastened to the embankment using wooden pegs. In between the matted coir controsema and vitiver grass are planted in order to promote vegetative growth. 

ENGINEER JUSTINO R. ARBOLEDA

Brgy. Gapo, Camalig, Albay

The project involved the fabrication/installation of the first 2,500 bdft.-capacity furnace type lumber/kiln dryer in the Bicol Region to improve the quality of wood based furniture produced by the company and the members of the Camarines Sur Furniture Producers Association, Inc.

• Kiln Dryer design from Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI )
• Financial and Technical assistance for the fabrication of kiln dryer
• Technical Training on Lumber Drying

DOST- INTERVENTIONS

• Fabrication of Kiln Dyer
   Php 49,000.00 ( DOST V )
   P 240,000.00 ( BT2 Furniture )
• Technical Training  c/o FPRDI

The Lumber Dryer has been operational since 1995. It has served as a common service facility for BT2 Furniture and the members of the Camarines Sur Furniture Producers Inc. who dried their lumber for a certain fee.  This year 2003, the dryer was reconstructed on the same address still but on a different spot.  Mr. Carlos Betito, has started constructing an 8-door commercial building on the same spot where his previous residential house was located.

With the presence of lumber dryer, BT2 Furniture's employment increased from 6 to 10 workers.  Its market augmented by 20% and significantly, the company's gross earnings increased from P150,000.00 a month to P200,000.00 monthly.

Mr. Carlos Betito  - Owner (BT2 Furniture)

Diversion Road, Naga City

The Bicol Science and Technology Centrum was established last July 1995 as a pilot project of the DOST where a science center is established outside of Manila.  It is the first of its kind as a Regional Centrum initiated and operated by a local government unit. DOST has provided a total of P7,533,785.00 in GIA to the City Government of Naga since 1993 for the acquisition interactive exhibits.  As a counterpart of the LGU Naga,  constructed a building in a 2,000 square meter lot situated at the City Hall Compound intended for the Centrum.  LGU provided the centrum with an annual budget for its personal services and maintenance and operating expenses.

The centrum has adopted the vision "Towards a Science Oriented Culture of the Bicolanos" and mission of enhancing Science awareness and literacy among Bicolanos  by providing an interactive learning environment characterized by fun, adventure, creativity and discovery through hands-on and kinetic manipulation of science exhibits.

• Partnership and collaboration among regional head of offices of DECS, CHED, DOST, TESDA and the local government of Naga was formed
• Training/seminar on astronomy conducted by PAG-ASA DOST
• 1^st  General assembly of Regional Science Centrum Administrators conducted by SEI
• Latest of the Art on Advance Information & Technology conducted by PCASTRD

The Bicol Science & Technology Centrum (BSTC) has been in operation for seven and a half years since its inception on June 15, 1995.  It has catered to the various sectors of society particularly those from the academe.  It became and remained a virtual landmark in the city and a popular destination for study tours by diverse kinds of visitors especially students from pre-schoolers to college. As of CY 2002, it has accumulated a total number of 382,079  visitors and generated a total revenue of P1,730,757.00 channeled to the BSTC Trust Fund.  In order to bring the services of the centrum  to the far flung areas, they adopted the Enhanced Mobile Traveling Exhibition gaining tremendous reception from local schools and the community. 

Having recognized the BSTC's importance, the City Government has made the former an organic part of the City Government.  A total of eight (8) legislative acts by way of ordinances and resolutions were also enacted by the City Council to support the development and ensure continuity of the BSTC's existence.

LGU-NAGA CITY

DOST-Academe Technology Based Enterprise Development program (DAT-BED) aims to develop entrepreneurial competencies among students, young professionals including out of school youths in selected academic institution, non-government organization and local government units while at the same time creating income generating projects for the involved institutions.

• TAPI-DOST provides funding in the form of loan to students
• CSSAC provides competent technical advisers to supervise the student awardees

Providing funds for technological venture is an avenue for increasing students' interest in starting-up and sustaining an enterprise. Camarines Garden, a full blown agri-business industry and a registered firm  is managed by Mr. Gregorio Basallote, one of the recipient of DOST-TAPI's DATBED Program with CSSAC who started out a small ornamental garden business

MR. GREGORIO BASALLOTE

#26 Ilang-ilang St., Calauag, Naga City

The project aimed to improve the quantity of outputs and quality of abaca-based finished products; standardize outputs and processes; and mechanize production processes by acquiring a rotary press and other machines.  In 2002 and through the DOST-SET-UP program. the project was started. In addition, a series of training programs were conducted including advanced dyeing and pre-treatment; designing, advanced handloom weaving; product diversification; and the use of a filamenting machine.

DOST  V

• A series of advanced technology training pro-grams – dyeing, pre-treatment, bleaching, handloom weaving, etc.

• Provision of equipment – rotary press and filamenting machine

The association has provided full-time employment to 53 workers. It has also increased the product lines from simple sinamay to bags, placemats, pillow cases, and other abaca-based products and novelty items.  Designs and weave patterns were also enhanced, they are now capable of coming up with at least six (6) weave patterns.

From an annual income of PhP74,000 in 2000, the association has reached its net income to PhP179,000 in 2001 and as of first semester of 2003, net income is PhP99,730.

With the introduction of the rotary press, pinukpok production is estimated to jack-up the income of the association.

San Roque Weavers' Association (SRWA)

San Roque, Malilipot, Albay

The project aimed to mass produce and finally to commercialize a local invention – the manually-operated multi-purpose squeezer.  With a minimal TAPI funding of PhP108,600 in late 2002, it is expected to fabricate at least 40 units of the equipment and derive a net income of PhP172,000.

• Laboratory analyses of product

• Material balance analysis

• Technical consultancy

• Financial assistance to mass-produce the equipment

The venture has provided employment to four workers/fabricators. The  equipment serves the interests of coconut milk producers, users and processors of Bicol native delicacies.  Pathros has already expanded its market from the 3^rd District of Albay to the whole of the Bicol Region and penetrated Metro Manila.  As of to date, 21 units had been sold.

Through regular participation in trade fairs, the venture is still gaining ground in terms of its market potential.

Pathros Industries

Matacon, Polangui, Albay