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(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Thursday, 20 August 2026) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression "NENENG" was estimated based on all available data at 675 km East of Itbayat, Batanes (21.3°N, 128.5°E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It is moving Westward at 15 km/h. Southwest Monsoon affecting Luzon and the western section of Visayas. TC Information TROPICAL CYCLONE OUTSIDE PAR AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY TROPICAL DEPRESSION LOCATION: 3,090 KM EAST OF NORTHEASTERN MINDANAO (8.1°N, 154.4°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 55 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 70 KM/H MOVEMENT: WESTWARD SLOWLY TROPICAL DEPRESSION LOCATION: 670 KM WEST OF CALAYAN, CAGAYAN (19.2°N, 115.1°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 45 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 55 KM/H MOVEMENT: WESTWARD AT 20 KM/H. Localized Thunderstorms ang makaapekto sa rehiyon sa Caraga.


Friday, March 31, 2023

DOST modernizes a local pizza business in Surigao Norte town

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- Café Alicia is the lone pizza making venture in Mainit town in Surgao del Norte. The establishment offers pizza as its main dish with variety of flavors such as Hawaiian, Overload, Tuna, and Garden Salad. 

At the early stage of its operation, Café Alicia relied its production equipment by utilizing the oven of the bakery managed by the owner's husband. However, the pizza oven was already outdated and it was not fully functional. 

With this, the owner recognized the need to modernize the equipment and facilities of the business. Hence, the owner decided to avail of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Categorized as MSME, Café Alicia received innovation fund assistance from DOST Caraga through its Provincial Science and Technology Office in Surigao del Norte for the procurement of additional equipment and upgrading of the existing ones. In addition, the Caraga Food Safety Team provided consultancy services to optimize its production layout, minimizing labor and movement of materials during operation.

As a result of the science and technology intervention, Café Alicia experienced a substantial increase in its productivity output. Moreover, the capability of its personnel, as well as the quality of its services, were enhanced through various technology trainings facilitated by the government agency. Consequently, the café was able to comply with the good manufacturing practices and meet the demands of its customers. (DOST-Surigao del Norte/PIA- Surigao del Norte)