DOST-6 opens food center in Guimaras

JORDAN, GUIMARAS, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology-6 yesterday formally opened its Food Innovation Center here in the island province of Guimaras.

DOST-6 Regional Director Rowen Gelonga pointed out that one of the purposes of the center is to support the local business and industry especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) not only in Guimaras but also in the entire region.

“The establishment of the innovation center is intended to provide critical support to the development of the food processing industry in the region and to address technology-related concerns,” he said.

Gelonga mentioned that data from the Food and Drug Administration showed that in 2006, there were about 11,600 MSMEs in the region that are engaged in food processing. “And as time goes by, the number of MSMEs who are engaged to food processing continue to increase,” he said.

However, Gelonga said most MSMEs are experiencing common development constraints namely poor packaging, poor compliance to food safety standards, weak product development process, among others.

Through the establishment of the food innovation centers, MSMEs will be provided by services such as on research and development, training and consultancy, laboratory testing, packaging and labelling and technology resource center.

“With the food innovation center, we can now do the product development for them. Through the center also, we can tap our food technologists, researches to develop not only new products but even as simple as coming up with new product variants,” Gelonga added.

The equipment found at the center were all fabricated by Filipino engineers specifically the vacuum packaging machine, deep fryer, cabinet dryer, planetary mixer, vertical form-fill-seal and steam jacketed kettle.

Located at the Guimaras State College, the food innovation center here in Guimaras will be focusing on tropical fruits, vegetables, root crops, breads and pastries and native delicacies. DOST already spent around P8-P10 million for the center.

Gelonga said that they have considered Guimaras as an environment which is very conducive to food innovation especially that the province has been known for its sweet mangoes and other products like cashew.

Currently, the center is open to assist all micro and small enterprises without any payment because DOST have a subsidy for them. However, those who have big industries will be charged.

Since the center is already operational since last year, it already produced products out of the mangoes in Guimaras and sweet potatoes. Some of their finish products were green mango fries, sweet potato sticks and fruit powders, many more.

The first food innovation center here in the region was established at the regional office of DOST. The said center is the fourth food innovation center established here in the country. (FREEMAN)