May 13,2022
The Department of Science and Technology holds Science for Change Program (S4CP) Summit on May 13, 2022, at the Newtown Plaza Hotel, Baguio City with DOST-CAR as the host region.
The event highlighted the accomplishments of the S4CP in Luzon from its subcomponent programs, namely: 1) Niche Center in the Region for R&D Program (NICER), 2) Collaborative R&D to Leverage the Philippine Economy Program (CRADLE), 3) Business Innovation through S&T for Industry Program (BIST), and 4) R&D Leadership Program (RDLead).
DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara expressed her appreciation to DOST- North Luzon cluster by saying, “we appreciate your extensive efforts in addressing the needs of your regions and making Science, Technology, and Innovation transform North Luzon through cooperation and sustainable development”. She also encouraged everyone to continue doing R&D because of its crucial role in making positive changes happen.
“Indeed the S4CP has changed the country in many ways. Through S4CP, science is utilized to build and have a healthy society, modernized agriculture and fishery, competitive industries, strengthen nationwide resiliency, improve governance and to eventually attain and sustain economic development” added Dr. Nancy Bantog, DOST-CAR Regional Director
To date, there are two (2) NICER and two (2) RD Lead programs in the Cordillera region. This includes the Potato R&D Center which was funded with a total budget of P31,355,154.56. This NICER program has major initiatives on the following: Development of Insect Pests and Disease Management of Quality Seed Production; Enhancing the Micropropagation System of Potato Application of Improved Cultivation System, and Storage Technique for Seed Potato Production.
The Benguet State University (BSU) is the implementing partner institution for this program. Through this collaborative partnership, the center envisioned sustainable agriculture in the area of potato production.
Mr. Nelio Compelio, a Benguet potato farmer and a beneficiary of Potato R&D Center, shared that his yield and income has doubled because of the improved potato planting materials produced by the center. “Natitiyak ko na sa mga teknolohiyang ito mabilis na mapaparami ang mga certified, disease-free seed tubers na magagamit naming mga potato farmers.” he said.
Moreover, Usec. Guevara also visited the center on May 14, 2022 wherein she acknowledged the center’s potential to become Niche Center for Science and Technology (NICEST). She also encouraged the university to disseminate these matured researches and engage more farmers to become beneficiaries of the center. // MLFerrer
DOST-Science for Change Program Summit for North Luzon Cluster commence with a ceremonial torch lighting with Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina Guevara, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho Mabborang, DOST-NRCP Executive Director Marieta Sumagaysay, DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog, DOST - 1 Regional Director Armando Ganal, DOST- 2 Regional Director Virginia Bilgera, and DOST-Region 3 Regional Director Julius Ceasar Sicat.
Mr. Nelio Compelio, a Benguet potato farmer and a beneficiary of Potato R&D Center, on his speech during the summit.
May 12, 2022
The DOST PSTC-Apayao and Jannah’s Food Store, a DOST SETUP assisted firm and adoptor of the DOST ITDI vacuum frying technology, represented DOST-CAR and among the finalist during the “FIC Marketing Academy North Luzon Cluster A: Transforming Concepts to Market Launch” on May 11-12, 2022 at the Hotel Supreme, Baguio City.
The activity was conducted to equip the Food Innovation Center (FIC) stakeholders across the country with actual experience on how to be entrepreneurial-minded and market conscious from the conception of products to market launch.
In his message, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang acknowledged the FIC Marketing Academy’s effort in capacitating FICs in marketing their products. “I am happy that we are moving towards presenting our products to domestic and international markets”, he said while he expressed his gratitude.
Twenty-two (22) new product-prototypes from various FIC stakeholders in the North Luzon Cluster composed of Regions 1,2,3, and CAR were presented during the product pitching. Three (3) of which are from the PSTC-Apayao and Jannah’s Food Store, namely: Vacuum-fried Mixed Fruits, Vacuum-fried Mushroom, and Vacuum-fried Dinengdeng and two (2) out of these products were among the top 10 finalists.
Meanwhile, Chicha Matis of Cagayan State University (CSU) bagged the coveted 1st place on product-prototypes presentation followed by Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) with their product ToMango Juice as 2nd Place, Hayahay Lamb Tomato Sauce from an MSME in Bulacan placing 3rd, and Squashious Pesto of Pangasinan State University (PSU) as 4th place.
Joining DOST-CAR products on 6th to 10th place in no particular order include: Mango Choco Powder Mix, Mango-Kamangeg Sinigang Mix, and Tomato Mango Ketchup of MMSU; and Tomato Salsa of PSU.
The top 10 prototype products will also receive cash prizes and will proceed to the market launch this June 2022.
A benchmarking activity held at the FIC-CAR in Benguet State University and DOST 1-FIC in Pangasinan State University on May 12-13, 2022 concluded the event.// MLFerrer
PSTC-Apayao headed by PSTD Debbie Manangkil (2nd row, 3rd from left) and Jannah’s Food Store (2nd row ,2nd from left) together with (1st row , from right to left) DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog, DOST- 2 Regional Director Virginia Bilgera, and DOST-Region 3 Regional Director Julius Ceasar Sicat, Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang pose for a photo after being awarded as finalist during the “FIC Marketing Academy North Luzon Cluster A: Transforming Concepts to Market Launch” on May 11, 2022.
The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) conducted a “Training on Food Safety towards Quality Assurance and Safe Operationalization of Benguet Cold Chain (BCC) Facility” as part of its commitment to support the DOST Smart Food Value Chain Program for the New Normal on April 21-22, 2022 at the Benguet Cold Chain (BCC) facility, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The said program is a collaborative project led by the Packaging Technology Division of DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) in coordination with DOST-CAR and in partnership with PLGU-Benguet which aims to infuse packaging technology and logistics to upgrade the BCC.
The training was provided to BCC stakeholders which include BCC farmers and staff from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and Provincial Engineering Office of Benguet to ensure the production of quality products and to maintain the safe and effective operationalization of the facility.
The BCC facility will serve as an operational packaging line for fresh and semi-processed agricultural products such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, bell pepper, carrots, and strawberry. Since processing is involved, food safety is of utmost importance to protect consumers from food-borne illnesses, food poisoning, and other health hazards.
The topics on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Post-Harvest Management were discussed by Mr. Melchor B. Tumbaga, Agriculturist I of the Department of Agriculture-CAR to help stakeholders obtain quality and safe produce from the farm level up to the storage of products. Moreover, to further enhance their capability from the processing level, topics on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical and Control Point (HACCP) were delivered by Ms. Jamie Beth B. Galian, Science Research Specialist II of DOST-CAR.
DOST-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Pepita Picpican encouraged the participants to review and apply the operational standards in the facility. “We should comply with the standards for the production of ready-to-eat and safe food for our consumers” she added. // MLF, DOST-CAR
(Left photo) Agriculturist Melchor Tumbaga during his discussion on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Post-Harvest Management and (right photo) Science Research Specialist Jamie Beth B. Galian discusses Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP).
