In its commitment to increasing its productivity and serving quality dim sum menus, Backyard Food Corporation signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology—10 (DOST 10) on July 19, 2024, to secure assistance for technology upgrading through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrade Program (SETUP).
SETUP is a flagship program of DOST that assists micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing a wide range of science, technology, and innovative solutions to improve their products, services, and operations and increase their productivity and competitiveness.
Backyard Food Corporation, a local Cagayan de Oro City food industry operator, operates under Backyard Barbecue and Dimsum Express. Established in 2019 by Mr. John Ernesto A. Chaves, Backyard Barbecue quickly gained popularity due to its affordable prices and delicious menu, mainly its homemade burgers and chicken wings.
In 2023, the company expanded by incorporating Dimsum Express, initially founded in 2014 as a Siomai Stall in front of Xavier University. Despite temporary closures during the pandemic, Dimsum Express reopened in October 2022 with a new menu and business model. The first branch reopened in Nazareth, followed by its inaugural mall location at Ayala Centrio Mall in August 2023, marking it as Cagayan de Oro’s first local dim sum restaurant. Most notable for its unique bacon siomai, Dimsum Express also offers a variety of dim sum dishes.
With DOST’s support, Mr. John Ernesto A. Chaves and Atty. Kristine Rosary Yuzon-Chaves, owners of the Backyard Food Corporation, hopes to enhance their productivity and production volume by incorporating advanced technological interventions, such as a semi-automatic siomai machine and blast freezer.
“The Department of Science and Technology has provided effective solutions to our problems and opened new horizons for our business. They have made substantial financial support available with terms existing financial institutions cannot match. We now have access to technologies that were previously unattainable due to financial constraints, as well as opportunities for the necessary training and information to scale up our business and better equip us to meet the demands of this highly competitive market”, said John Ernesto Chaves, Chief Executive Officer of Backyard Food Corporation.
DOST Misamis Oriental is committed to helping the company through its consultancy services for food safety training and good manufacturing practices, which are prerequisites for securing a License to Operate (LTO) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum underscores the Department’s dedication to offering solutions and creating opportunities for MSMEs. He famously states, “Sa siyensiya at teknolohiya, negosyo tiyak kikita. Sa siyensiya at teknolohiya, industriya aarangkada,” highlighting the pivotal role of science and technology in driving business profitability and industrial progress.
To learn more about DOST SETUP, message or call the DOST SETUP hotline at 0917-857-9285 or our official Facebook page, DOST 10. (Julia Jaylo/DOST Misamis Oriental)