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| (Image Source: Facebook/DOST Batangas) |
Twenty local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) assisted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas and the City Government of Sto. Tomas showcased a widely engaging variety of locally made and technology-driven products at Teknolohiya at Inobasyon, Kaagapay ng Micro Enterprises (TIKME) 2026, held last September 2-4, 2026 at SM City Sto. Tomas. TIKME brought together local entrepreneurs and consumers to promote products developed and improved through science, technology, and innovation. The participating MSMEs gave shoppers an opportunity to discover, taste, and support Batangueño products while seeing how technology can help strengthen small businesses.
“Ang TIKME ay hindi lamang isang exhibit. Hindi lamang ito isang food fair. At lalong hindi lamang ito isang pagkakataon para tayo ay tumikim. Ito ay isang plataporma upang makita natin kung paano nagiging konkretong solusyon ang agham, teknolohiya, at inobasyon para sa ating mga MSMEs,” said DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. in a video message. DOST-CALABARZON Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit said TIKME has grown from a local initiative into a regional brand embraced by other provinces in CALABARZON with the common goal of promoting homegrown entrepreneurs and demonstrating how science, technology, and innovation can make local products better, safer, more efficient, and more competitive. She shared, “Sa loob ng mga nagdaang taon, nakita natin kung paano lumago ang TIKME mula sa isang lokal na inisyatiba tungo sa isang Regional Brand na niyakap din ng iba pang lalawigan sa CALABARZON. At sa bawat TIKME, iisa ang ating layunin: maipakilala ang ating mga homegrown entrepreneurs at maipakita na ang isang produktong lokal ay maaaring maging mas mahusay, mas ligtas, mas episyente at mas handang makipagsabayan sa merkado kapag ito ay napaghusay sa tulong ng agham, teknolohiya at inobasyon.” she added. DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang likewise emphasized that innovation is not limited to developing new products, noting that even micro enterprises can use technology to improve their operations and compete in the market. In a video message, Engr. Mabborang mentioned, “Sa bawat produkto, may agham. Kapag pinagsama natin ang agham, teknolohiya, at malikhaing pag-iisip, nagkakaroon tayo ng inobasyon. Hindi kailangang malaki ang isang negosyo bago makinabang sa teknolohiya. Ang isang micro enterprise na nagsisimula pa lamang ay may parehong pagkakataong mag-improve, mag-innovate, at maging competitive.” Meanwhile, Sto. Tomas City Mayor Atty. Arth Jun Aguilar Marasigan was pleased that the city is hosting TIKME and described the initiative as an opportunity to support micro enterprises as part of Sto. Tomas’ aspiration to become a business-friendly city, enthusing, “Natutuwa po kami at kami ang napili para gawin ang TIKME ngayong taon. Nakakatuwa dahil ito ay programa para maging kaagapay mismo ng mga micro enterprises at ng iba pang MSMEs.” Among the highlights of the three-day TIKME 2026 were seminars on transforming MSMEs into smart enterprises, food safety management and available government support, and insights on food packaging, labelling, and waste management made possible through the partnership of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas, City Government of Sto. Tomas, Rotary Club of Batangas Malarayat, and SM City Sto. Tomas.
DOST-Batangas Senior Science Research Specialist John Maico M. Hernandez facilitated the discussion on digital transformation, emphasizing that it goes beyond simply digitizing existing business practices. He explained that digital transformation involves redesigning how a business creates value by bringing together technology, data, people, and new ways of working; identified four forces that continue to drive MSMEs toward digital change: customers, industry, rules, and shocks; and emphasized the need for enterprises to build digital capability into how they compete, respond to market changes, and sustain their operations. The discussion also covered digital marketing for MSMEs including principles of digital promotion and strategic communication, the Philippine social networking services market, approaches to developing digital marketing and promotion strategies, and an introduction to marketing and digital marketing promotion tools. The session highlighted how digital technologies can support businesses beyond product promotion by helping enterprises communicate with customers, reach wider markets, understand changing consumer behavior, and make more informed business decisions. Integrating these tools into business processes can also help MSMEs respond to market disruptions and changing industry requirements. In his message, Sto. Tomas City LGU City Livelihood and Enterprise Development Office Department Head Eric Dizon emphasized the role of technology in advancing local MSMEs and underscored the need for entrepreneurs to adapt to changes in the business environment and use available technologies to improve their operations, reach customers, and remain competitive. DOST-Batangas Provincial Director Felina C. Malabanan thanked the participating MSMEs and emphasized the importance of digital transformation in an increasingly technology-driven business environment. She stressed that digital transformation provides MSMEs with opportunities to improve their operations, expand market reach, strengthen customer engagement, and respond to emerging business challenges. She also emphasized that technology should be viewed not only as a tool for business promotion but as a means of continuous improvement and innovation.
Dr. April Shayne Sulabo, Professor II of the Institute of Food Science and Technology of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), facilitated the discussion on School Canteen Food Safety Management which was also attended by teachers and administrative personnel involved in school canteen operations, focusing on the principles and practices needed to ensure that food prepared and served in school canteens is safe for learners. Meanwhile, Hernandez presented the DOST programs and services available to schools, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders seeking science- and technology-based assistance. In his message, Dizon emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening local programs and services through science, technology, and innovation, mentioning, “Ang pagtitipon natin ngayon ay isang magandang pagkakataon upang pagsama-samahin ang ating mga kaalaman, kakayahan, at karanasan tungo sa isang layunin — ang patuloy na pagpapalakas ng ating mga programa at serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng agham, teknolohiya, at inobasyon.” Meanwhile, Dr. Adeliza A. Dorado, Professor IV of the UPLB Institute of Food Science and Technology, discussed food packaging systems and laws and standards governing food packaging and labelling. Dr. Dorado explained the traditional functions of packaging and the factors driving the development of new packaging concepts. She also introduced different packaging materials and emerging systems such as active packaging, intelligent packaging, and modified-atmosphere packaging and discussed key regulations affecting food MSMEs including the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Food and Drug Administration Act, Food Safety Act of 2013, and the Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Labeling of Prepackaged Food Products Distributed in the Philippines. The discussion emphasized the role of science and technology in developing packaging systems that protect food quality and safety while meeting regulatory requirements and responding to changing market needs.
On the other hand, Dr. Alma Lorelei D. Abejero, University Researcher I of the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management, discussed waste management approaches applicable to food MSMEs, covering wastewater, solid waste, food processing by-products, and other waste streams generated across food production and distribution. Dr. Abejero explained physical, chemical, and biological methods used in wastewater treatment, as well as the different stages of treatment — from preliminary and primary treatment to secondary and tertiary treatment and final disinfection. She also discussed Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 and relevant environmental regulations. For solid waste, the discussion covered Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the waste management hierarchy, which promotes waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, and proper disposal. Dr. Abejero also introduced the principles of Republic Act No. 11898 or the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 which establishes producer responsibility for plastic packaging and promotes the recovery and diversion of plastic waste. The seminar further presented practical approaches for managing and utilizing wastes from agriculture, food processing, and food service. These included composting, anaerobic digestion, upcycling, value recovery, redistribution of safe surplus food, conversion of suitable food residues into animal feed, and extraction of useful compounds from fruit and vegetable processing wastes. For foodservice and delivery businesses, the discussion highlighted practical measures such as inventory monitoring, improved packaging, reusable or bio-based packaging, reduction of unnecessary disposable items, redistribution of surplus food, and the use of digital technologies to monitor and reduce food waste. The speakers also presented available support mechanisms within the regional ecosystem, including shared facilities and technical assistance that can help MSMEs improve processing, packaging, food safety compliance, product development, and market readiness. Dizon emphasized the importance of bringing together MSMEs and technical experts to strengthen local enterprises through knowledge and innovation while Hernandez thanked the participating MSMEs and emphasized that science, technology, and innovation are important in addressing both product development and environmental challenges. He underscored that understanding the science behind packaging, food safety, waste generation, and resource recovery enables enterprises to make informed decisions and develop solutions that are not only compliant with regulations but also sustainable and responsive to changing consumer and environmental needs, stating, “Mahalaga pong maunawaan ang science behind our products and processes upang mapili ang tamang packaging, mapanatili ang kalidad at kaligtasan, at masunod ang standards sa packaging at labelling. Ganoon din po sa waste management, kailangan nating malaman kung saan nagmumula ang waste at kung ano ang maaari nating bawasan, gamitin muli, o gawing kapaki-pakinabang. Dito po pumapasok ang science, technology, and innovation upang makabuo ng mas sustainable na paraan ng production at waste utilization.”
The final day of TIKME 2026 saw outstanding MSMEs being recognized for bringing their products, innovations, and entrepreneurial initiatives to consumers throughout the three-day activity. For the Best Themed Booth category, Bisig at Galing ng Kababaihan para sa Isang Sambayanan (BIGKIS) Association was named champion, followed by The Rosario Livestock and Agriculture Farming Cooperative as second placer and Sto. Tomas Young Entrepreneurs Society as third placer. For Best Managed Booth, Lilykoi Food Products Manufacturing took first place, followed by Mt. Manabu Honey Bee Farm and Magpantay Home Made Candy in second and third places, respectively. The People’s Choice Award was given to Mang R Calamansi Juice Processing and Entrepreneurs of City of Sto. Tomas. The Top Seller award went to Carovy Beverage Manufacturing with sales amounting to ₱ 58,110.00, followed by Rambelle Food Products with sales of ₱46,560.00 and KASAMA Halal Producers Cooperative with sales of ₱ 36,700.00. Overall, the three-day TIKME generated total sales of ₱ 347,933.00 and enabled participating MSMEs to engage or penetrate additional markets, providing opportunities for local enterprises to expand their customer base and market presence. Malabanan thanked the participating MSMEs for their commitment and contributions to TIKME 2026, noting that their products and participation gave life to the initiative and demonstrated the potential of local enterprises. She also expressed appreciation to the City Government of Sto. Tomas, Rotary Club of Batangas Malarayat, and SM City Sto. Tomas for their partnership and support in providing a venue, mobilizing stakeholders, and creating opportunities for local MSMEs to bring their products closer to consumers. Director Malabanan expressed hope that TIKME would continue to grow in the coming years, reaching more MSMEs and providing more opportunities for local entrepreneurs to access science, technology, and innovation. She emphasized that the continued partnership among government, the private sector, and other stakeholders is important in creating an environment where MSMEs can improve their products, strengthen their businesses, and pursue new opportunities in the market.
