CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — A total of 62 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Luzon received P67.8 million in assistance through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2024.
SETUP aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of MSMEs, particularly in rural areas, by providing technology transfer, training, consultancy, product testing, packaging support, and funding via the Innovation-Enabling Fund or iFund.
During the sixth episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency for 2025, DOST Regional Director Julius Caesar Sicat highlighted that SETUP has been the agency’s flagship initiative for over a decade.
“It is very critical in terms of pushing for socio-economic development in Central Luzon. As we know, Central Luzon is among the top three in terms of contribution to the gross domestic product. And our department cannot stop creating technologies, systems, and programs of assistance to ensure the continuous success of entrepreneurs in Central Luzon in terms of the manufacturing sector,” he said.
Sicat clarified, however, that SETUP is a government assistance program that is not free, as beneficiaries are expected to repay what they receive within a span of three years.
With this scheme in place, the agency has reported a repayment rate of 92 to 93 percent in the region.
“Our beneficiaries of the SETUP program — these are real businessmen who understand business and know their responsibility, which is why the repayment rate is very high. This is a program that DOST is very proud of because aside from providing much-needed support to our MSMEs, the funds extended by the government to them are being returned to the National Treasury,” he added.
According to DOST, eligible applicants include any company or individual firm based in the Philippines and wholly owned by Filipino citizens.
MSMEs classified under priority sectors may also apply, along with companies or individual firms willing to adopt technological innovations in their products, services, or operations.
Local government units are likewise eligible, provided they intend to apply technological innovations to the existing operations in their locality.
For more information, interested applicants may contact the SETUP Regional Program Management Office at 0917-834-3422 or via email at setup3@ro3.dost.gov.ph.
They may also visit the DOST Regional Office or any of its Provincial Science and Technology Offices.
Since June 2022, DOST has empowered 161 MSMEs in Central Luzon through SETUP, providing them with over 500 technology interventions, creating more than 2,500 jobs, and generating over P613 million in sales. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
