Manila, March 25 -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Tuesday its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) has yielded PHP1.18 billion gross sales, or 33.77 percent return of investment to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Ilocos Region in 2024.

In a forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency, DOST 1 (Ilocos) Director Teresita Tabaog said the program also funded 42 projects in the region last year worth PHP35 million.

Tabaog said there were 48 projects in 2023 and 44 in 2022 funded with PHP35.57 million per year.

These projects yielded PHP1.04 billion, or 29.37 return of investment and PHP671.55 million, or 18.88 percent return in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

"Mostly, (these pro...