A PhP50 million worth Shared Service Facility (SSF) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now open at the newly-inaugurated bioenergy center of the MMSU in Batac main campus.  

Because of it, micro, small and medium enterprises in Ilocos Norte, entrepreneurs are now excited to explore the services of a sophisticated one-stop technology hub in MMSU, which is now made available closer to their homes.

Last January 23, the DTI turned-over to MMSU the  SSF to further promote growth and development of MSMEs in the province.

The SSF project according to DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona hopes to transform the lives of Ilocanos and make them more enterprising.

“We are happy for being part of this project. DTI has already provided the equipment so they can start the activity,” she said, adding that the DTI still owns the equipment, “but if the cooperator, which is MMSU, can operate it optimally and can show us that all the equipment are being used, then, in a span of two years, these equipment will be awarded to the MMSU.”

The latest SSF granted by DTI to MMSU is presently housed on the second floor of the newly-inaugurated National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC). It features a modern laboratory where researchers, innovators, teachers, students, and other stakeholders especially the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can utilize to boost their productivity.

Also, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said “the equipment will serve two purposes — for continuous research to form the innovative ideas of young researchers, scientists, in the development of the technology; and at the same time, this is going to be a training facility for the farmers and even entrepreneurs whom we are developing as scientists in the village.”

During the January 23 signing of the memorandum of agreement, Dr. Agrupis assured that MMSU will not just be a good steward to the facilities entrusted to them but they shall operate it and deliver more than what is expected.

Over the years, the DTI has put up SSF in various towns and provinces to upgrade the production of local products to meet the standards of the global market.

Other SSF facilities found in Batac City include bamboo craft and development, meat products and processing of banana, sweet potato, chichacorn, rice crackers, and vegetable processing among others.

Other towns in Ilocos Norte likewise have their own SFF mainly to improve their one-town-one-product being promoted by local government units and the DTI.