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(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 07 October 2026) Trough of Super Typhoon {CHOI-WAN} affecting Visayas and Mindanao. TC Information TROPICAL CYCLONE OUTSIDE PAR AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY SUPER TYPHOON CHOI-WAN (2627) LOCATION: 2,605 KM EAST NORTHEAST OF EXTREME NORTHERN LUZON (24.6°N, 146.9°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 195 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 240 KM/H MOVEMENT: NORTHWARD AT 20 KM/H Trough of TC Choi-Wan ang makaapekto sa tibook 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 However, the pizza oven was already outdated and it was not fully functional.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)