MikeLigalig.com

DTI to open 8 Negosyo Centers with fab labs in 2016
By Kris M. Crismundo
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) i set to open eight Negosyo Centers with fabrication laboratories co-working spaces across the country this year.

DTI Secretary Adrian S. Cristobal said these Negosyo Centers with fab labs are in University of the Philippines in Cebu, Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban, and Bicol University, which will be launched this month; Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC) in Marikina, which is set to open in September; and Zamboanga State Polytechnic College in October.

In the past five months, DTI opened Negosyo Centers with fab labs in Isabela City and Davao City in February and the most recent was in Ilocos Sur last week.

Fab lab provides micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access to prototype technologies and software in designing and manufacturing, which will help them be more competitive in the market.

The facility helps grassroots communities to translate their design ideas into physical forms through advanced technology.

“With the Negosyo Center’s Fablab, MSMEs are given the opportunity to avail of new prototyping technologies and software in designing and manufacturing products to match the market competition,” Cristobal said.

“MSMEs will sustain our robust Philippine economy. What we need to do is to support them to be more competitive and innovative,” he added.

DTI launched the first fab lab in the country in Bohol in 2014.

The fab lab shared service facility at Bohol Island State University (BISU) was funded by the university itself, DTI, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Department of Science and Technology. (PNA)

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=86018.0