Marcos vows more assistance to MSMEs

President Marcos inspects the production area of the Nuvali Steel Processing Center, Inc. in Biñan, Laguna on September 26, 2026. The visit highlighted the plant’s transition toward Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing.

Revoli Cortez

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has vowed to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the sector that contributes the most to the country’s employment, as he inspected yesterday a manufacturer of automobile parts, accessories, aluminum devices and metal components in Laguna.

Marcos visited the Nuvali Steel Processing Center, Inc. at the Laguna Technopark Annex in Biñan City to inspect the progress of the assistance provided by the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

After becoming a SETUP beneficiary in 2023, Nuvali Stell acquired two arc-welding robots that enhanced its productivity, quality, precision and workplace safety. The assistance was intended to boost the manufacturer’s productivity and position itself for Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing that uses advanced technologies and automation to improve efficiency.

Marcos said the products being manufactured by the Nuvali Steel Processing Center are compliant with international standards.

“The fascinating thing here is how advanced the robotics is in this factory. The cooperation between the DOST and the private sector, Nuvali Steel, that has been something new. But what it is, again, it is government and private sector working hand-in-hand to help private sector to the state-of-the-art so that we can compete on an international level. We do not need to import various accessories,” Marcos said.

“And it is the advances that have been made in robotics are really quite impressive. So, it’s very good to see. We will do more of this, not only for Nuvali Steel, but also for the other companies,” he added.

A strong supply chain, Marcos said, would increase production and create more jobs. “So, this is a very, very important step that we have taken in terms not only of the advancement of the technology, manufacturing technologies but also in the coordination and synchronization between government and the private sector,” the President added.

The company, which operates inside the Laguna Technopark Annex, is engaged in the manufacturing of automobile parts, metal components, accessories, and aluminum devices.

Nuvali Steel Processing Center, founded on May 22, 2013, operates inside the Laguna Technopark Annex.

With President during the visit were Science Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. and Nuvali Steel Processing Center president Jimmy Chan.