DOST upgrades local machine shop in Iligan with tech innovations

The Department of Science and Technology boosts city-based Surban Machine Shop through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). With the agency’s technological support, the firm attains 48% increase in productivity from 2018 to 2022.

In 2018, they availed assistance to answer much needed S&T interventions for the acquisition of a universal milling machine and shaper machine. This enabled the firm to fabricate parts in their production line and minimize low-quality outputs. They also boosted production by 23% from 130 work orders in 2018 to 159 work orders in 2022.  Gross sales increase by 38%  from 2018 to 2022. The firm has fully refunded its financial obligations to DOST in January 2023 and is planning on taking on another cycle of S&T Interventions through DOST-SETUP.

The owner, Mrs. Rosalina G. Surban said that they are grateful to the technical assistance provided by the agency on their business, even during the onslaught of the pandemic. “Tungod sa pagsalig nga gihatag sa DOST sa amoa paagi sa SETUP, nakumpleto among production line og wala nami nagpa-job out”, she said. Outsourcing costs have become additional profit since the assistance of the SETUP program. 

The completed production line brought higher productivity for the firm and helped them weather the challenges of the covid pandemic. They also increased their B2B transactions with large-sized industrial customers in Iligan City, Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, and Lugait in Misamis Oriental. They also sustained two additional workers and consistently provided training to interns from TESDA programs in Iligan City. With this, they were awarded with Bronze Bagwis Seal of DTI-10 in 2021 for their compliance to fair trade laws.

The Surban Machine Shop is a family-owned micro-enterprise in Tambo, Brgy Hinaplanon, which specializes in the fabrication and repair of machine parts for large industrial firms. It has been operating since 2016.

The SETUP program is a nationwide strategy that aims to utilize Science, Technology, and Innovation for enhanced productivity and competitiveness of MSMEs and priority industries. The DOST in Lanao del Norte actively supports the homegrown metals and engineering firms of Iligan City to upgrade their operations and maintain their productivity despite the many challenges to the industry and the local market.

For more details, please contact PSTO Lanao del Norte OIC Mr. Virgilio M. Fuertes at 0917 677 3335 or email us at setuplanaodelnorte@region10.dost.gov.ph. (Reymart Deligero/DOST10)