(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 18 August 2025) Southwest Monsoon affecting the western section of Luzon. TC Information TROPICAL CYCLONE OUTSIDE PAR AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY SEVERE TROPICAL STORM PODUL (2511) LOCATION: 1,875 KM EAST OF EXTREME NORTHERN LUZON (21.5°N, 139.9°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 110 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 135 KM/H MOVEMENT: WESTWARD AT 15 KM/H. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: 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 to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Southwest to South will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 1.5 meters).


Wednesday, 16 July 2025

DOST, local entrepreneurs in Surigao City ink MOA for technology upgrading, innovation support

By Susil D. Ragas 

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga, through its Provincial Science and Technology Office in Surigao del Norte,  recently sealed a partnership with two promising micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Surigao City.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), it formalizes the technology agreement and innovation support between the DOST – Surigao del Norte and the MSMEs,  as part of the implementation of the agency’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

As beneficiaries of the said program, the business owners expressed their gratitude to the government for the remarkable initiative that will enable them to integrate advanced technology and innovation expertise to enhance their operational efficiency, and elevate the quality of their products and services, making the MSMEs competitive in the market. 

They said, “We extend our sincerest gratitude to DOST for their unwavering commitment to empowering MSMEs and fostering sustainable economic growth and looking forward to maximizing the benefits of this program to achieve our objectives and contribute positively to the local economy.”

According to DOST Surigao del Norte Director Mariel Makinano the collaboration will empower both enterprises with access to innovation funds intended to support the acquisition of advanced equipment and the streamlining of production processes which primarily aims to boost productivity, increase product quality, and improve overall business operations.

“DOST’s SETUP program serves as the premier program designed to strengthen the capabilities of MSMEs by providing a blend of financial support and technical guidance that will enable businesses to adopt cutting-edge technologies, benefit from expert consultancy services, and participate in capacity-building activities such as specialized training,” Dir. Makinano said.

“By doing so, the program nurtures a more competitive, resilient, and innovation-driven local business sector,” she added.

The DOST’s SETUP is a nationwide strategy encouraging and assisting MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their products, services, operations and increase their productivity and competitiveness, focusing on the priority sectors such as food processing, furniture, gifts, housewares, decors, agriculture/marine/aquaculture, metals and engineering, including information, communication and technology (ICT), pharmaceuticals and health products. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DOST-SDN)