The Bulsa Multipurpose Cooperative (BMPC) in San Juan, Batangas secured a technology partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to upgrade its ice-making operations following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement at the DOST-Batangas Office in Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City.
Representatives of Bulsa MPC together with DOST-Batangas Provincial Director Felina C. Malabanan (in light blue shirt), forging a Memorandum of Agreement for the SETUP Project at DOST Batangas Office in Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City on March 30, 2026. (Photo from DOST-CALABARZON)
The partnership, implemented under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) will support the cooperative in adopting new technology to improve production efficiency and expand its product line.
The project, valued at P398,000, includes the acquisition of an ice-making machine to enhance the cooperative’s existing water refilling operations.
Mr. Remil Luistro, General Manager of BMPC, and Mr. Melchor Ayap, chairperson of the board, signed the agreement on behalf of the cooperative, while Ms. Felina C. Malabanan, provincial director, represented DOST-Batangas.
Under the project titled, “Technology-Based Upgrading of the Water Refilling Operations of Bulsa Multipurpose Cooperative in San Juan, Batangas,” the intervention aims to enable the cooperative to produce high-quality tube ice while maximizing its existing resources.
With the upgrade, BMPC aims to address at least 20 percent of its pending market demand for tube ice and use up to 50 percent of surplus purified water generated from its water refilling station. The intervention is also expected to increase the cooperative’s sales by 20 percent.
In addition to equipment support, the project also includes capacity-building initiatives such as training on current Good Manufacturing Practices and assisting the cooperative in complying with food safety standards. The DOST will also assist in the preparation of requirements for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliance.
The initiative highlights how technology adoption can help community-based enterprises diversify their products, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen market competitiveness.
Through the partnership, BMPC is expected to enhance its production capability while creating additional economic opportunities for its members and the local community.
SETUP is one of the flagship programs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.region4a.dost.gov.ph
