(Photo courtesy of PIA)
CABARROGUIS, Quirino – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Quirino State University (QSU) have launched a Php 4-million fabrication laboratory aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship, technical skills development, and product innovation in the province.
The facility, located at the QSU-Maddela Campus in Dipintin, Maddela, was inaugurated on October 29, 2026, under Project SEEDA-FABLAB.
The project, which stands for Scaling-up Entrepreneurship, Education, Development and Agri-tourism through Fabrication Laboratory, seeks to provide local entrepreneurs, students, and communities with access to modern fabrication equipment and technology-based training.
DTI-Quirino Officer-in-Charge Provincial Director Rowena Mayangat said the laboratory would help beneficiaries develop practical technical skills, explore new product designs, and improve their capacity to establish or expand businesses.
She said the initiative supports government efforts to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), create livelihood opportunities, and promote inclusive economic growth.
As part of the partnership, DTI and QSU signed a memorandum of agreement covering extension training programs designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and other beneficiaries with technical knowledge and hands-on experience.
DTI Region 2 Regional Director Ma. Sofia Narag emphasized the importance of meeting the project’s performance targets, including a required 10-percent increase in sales.
Narag also said the laboratory could eventually be donated to QSU following the expiration of a two-year usufruct agreement, provided the university meets DTI’s requirements.
Meanwhile, QSU Officer-in-Charge University President Dr. Romiro Bautista stressed the need for proper management, accountability, and maintenance to ensure the facility’s long-term sustainability.
The fabrication laboratory is the first of its kind in Quirino province. Its equipment was formally accepted on September 3, 2026, ahead of the official launch.
The inauguration was attended by representatives from DTI, QSU, and the Commission on Higher Education, along with Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Linda Dacmay, former Governor and Representative Junie Cua, Jay Cua, and equipment supplier GECAR Solutions.
Through the new facility, DTI and QSU aim to improve local production capabilities, encourage technology-driven entrepreneurship, and help businesses develop more competitive products and services.
The partnership is also expected to expand opportunities for technical training, enterprise development, and sustainable livelihoods among communities in Quirino.
