The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is targeting to assist 25 micro-entrepreneurs from this province with the labeling and packaging of products under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

“We have an ongoing identification of the micro-enterprises in Antique for the labeling and packaging technology assistance,” said DOST Antique director Eleazar Salvador Moscoso in an interview Wednesday.

The identification of target recipients started last month, and a few entrepreneurs signified their interest in availing of the assistance.

“There are products that have the potential in the market, but then their product presentation needs to be improved. That is why DOST is assisting the micro-entrepreneurs who cannot afford to invest in their labeling and packaging,” Moscoso said.

They planned to start with the one-on-one consultation in May, hoping that all 25 slots would be filled up.

DOST will initially provide packaging materials amounting to around PHP10,000 each and a soft copy of their product label design for future printing.

During the training, they will have the opportunity to meet possible suppliers of their packaging materials.

Last year, the program assisted 17 micro-enterprises.

A designer from the DOST regional office conducted the one-on-one consultation to improve their presentation and prolong the shelf-life of their products. (PNA)