(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 31 May 2023) At 3:00 AM today, the center of the eye of Typhoon "BETTY" {MAWAR} was estimated based on all available data at 320 km East of Itbayat, Batanes (21.2°N, 124.9°E) with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 150 km/h. It is moving North Northwestward slowly. Southwest Monsoon affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due Southwest Monsoon. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to Strong winds coming from South to Southwest will prevail with Moderate to Rough seas (1.2 to 2.8 meters).


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 However, the pizza oven was already outdated and it was not fully functional.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)