Eden Cesista, News, Communication Management Office
The Department of Trade and Industry’s National Capital Region Office (DTI-NCRO) has granted the Polytechnic University of the Philippines food processing equipment worth 25 million pesos, to be housed in the newly constructed Food Processing and Testing Center.
The new facility, which is located behind the Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center, had its soft opening last December 20. It is envisioned to be DTI’s Shared Service Facility (SSF) in Metro Manila. According to Faculty Arevalo of the Department of Food Technology, the SSF will be a place whereby Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) specializing in marine products can produce their products, for a service fee that goes towards maintenance and operational expenses. In addition, the Department will provide technical assistance to the MSMEs.
The equipment in the SSF includes can sealer, retort, spray dryer and smokehouse, as well as specialized equipment for physico-chemical and microbiological analysis. The facility also houses a sensory evaluation room for testing new products with human panelists.
The SSF’s equipment must still undergo third-party testing by SGS before being deemed operational. As per the memorandum of agreement between Regional Director Marcelina S. Alcantara of DTI-NCRO and then President, Dr. Emanuel C. de Guzman of the University, the equipment shall belong to DTI-NCRO for the first two years of operation before being turned over to the University and shall be inspected quarterly. The SSF aims to serve 200 marine food MSMEs annually, while serving as a venue for on-the-job training of BSFT students and faculty research.
In an interview, Area 2 of DTI-NCRO Division Chief Rowena San Jose said, “Maaari rin kasi na ma-inspire ‘yung mga food tech students natin to go into business, so part na rin siya ng MSMEs na matutulungan natin.”
The Food Processing and Testing Center will have its launching by the end of March.
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