CEBU CITY — Given the R800 million budget for the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP), a top official from the Region 7 office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 has urged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) here to avail of its financial assistance in order for them to be globally competitive. DOST 7 Regional Director Engr. Rene Burt Llanto disclosed that of the R800 million funding, Central Visayas has an available fund of R50 to R100 million. Llanto said the program was able to help over 1,000 SMEs in Central Visayas since its launching in 2002 with 95 percent return of investment. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

HELMET STICKERS

CEBU CITY, Cebu — The Department of Trade and Industry in Central Visayas (DTI 7) announced that it has officially issued 10,150 Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers to motorcycle riders across the region in relation to the implementation of Republic Act 10054, or the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010. DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte made the annoucement last Thursday in a sideline interview during the 2nd Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Councils Conference which was attended by some 200 MSME stakeholders nationwide. (Malou M. Mozo)

FLIGHT DIVERSION

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — All flights from Iloilo Airport were diverted to Cebu while incoming passenger planes failed to make a landing at the airport Thursday morning due to zero visibility. One of the affected passengers, Iloilo City Councilor Rodel Fullon Agado, said an incoming flight failed to land at the airport because of the thick fog that enveloped the airport, such that even the greenery surrounding the area could hardly be seen. The landing strip of the international standard airport located at the boundaries of Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara towns in the province of Iloilo could hardly be seen by pilots.

LAPU-LAPU POLICE

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu (PNA) — The Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) Wednesday inaugurated its new R5-million building, whose construction was funded by the Lapu-Lapu City Government. Acting LLCPO Chief Rey Lyndon Lawas said the city can expect better performance from the police now that they have a better working environment. The City Government spent more than R5 million for the two-story building, said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza. “I have seen to it that I always give my utmost consideration to every request of the police for support if it would lead to the efficient management of peace and order,” she said. The building, which is located in front of the old LLCPO building, has a detention cell, but Lawas said they will keep the old cell.

CAMOTE CHIPS

ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The sweet potatoes or camote will make it to the world market soon as the province of Guimaras is set to have its processing plant for camote chips through a public-private partnership. Guimaras Governor Felipe Hilan Nava said in a press statement that the plant is funded by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology with counterpart from the province. Nava said the plant will be put up at the Nueva Valencia Multi-Purpose Cooperative which shall also manage it with the identified farmer-producers. The mechanized processing plant requires less labor, as when the camote comes out, it is already processed.