DOST boosts AI skills for MSMEs

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Science and Technology Western Visayas is strengthening its training and capacity-building programs to help micro, small and medium enterprises adopt artificial intelligence.

DOST-6 Director Rowen Gelonga said the agency sees basic understanding and appreciation of AI as the sector’s main challenge, citing persistent misconceptions among businesses and the public.

“I think almost all of us are already aware of AI […] What we want to happen is we would like to have a better understanding. We are aware, but most probably we are not familiar with the nature of AI,” he said Tuesday, May 26.

Gelonga said DOST-6’s initial step is to train MSMEs to identify how AI can be applied in their operations.

He said the agency will follow this with consultancy services, allowing experts from universities and partner institutions to directly assist businesses in exploring practical AI applications.

Gelonga said DOST-6 also plans to deploy technical specialists to MSMEs to assess opportunities for AI integration in specific business processes.

He said the support package includes access to the DOST innovation fund, especially for enterprises that need additional equipment or digital infrastructure.

The innovation fund ranges from about PHP 20 million to PHP 30 million annually and is extended to qualified MSMEs for technology upgrades and capability enhancement, Gelonga said.

“There are so many opportunities, but for us it is really important that there is capacity building and trying to look for opportunities on how to use AI proactively in their business enterprises,” Gelonga emphasized.

Gelonga said the agency places greater emphasis on technical assistance than funding support.

“We do not really focus so much on the funding support under the innovation fund, but we focus a lot more on the technical assistance that we give to the MSMEs,” he said.

He said the value of DOST support lies in knowledge transfer and the adoption of new technologies.

Financial assistance is available when enterprises need to invest in equipment, he added.

Gelonga said only a limited number of MSMEs, about 10 to 15, are typically supported under the innovation fund each year.

He said DOST-6 continues to expand its training programs, which have reached hundreds of MSMEs and individuals across Western Visayas as part of its broader digital transformation push.

MSMEs are widely regarded as a key driver of local employment and regional economic activity, making digital adoption increasingly important for competitiveness, productivity and resilience.

DOST has long supported small enterprises through technology transfer, technical consultancy and innovation programs aimed at improving production systems, product quality and market readiness.