THE NATIONAL Economic Development Authority-IGLF Grant for Research and Promotion and the Development Bank of the Philippines on Dec. 6 released the first tranche of P2M for the implementation of the of the Collaborative Program on Food Product Development and Packaging for Sustainable Development: Pilot Mobile Packaging Toll Facility for the Processing and Packaging of Selected OTOPs (One-Town-One-Product) in Ilocos Norte.

With a total fuding of P5M, the program aims to commercialize globally competitive food products of locos Norte; develop a mobile toll packaging facility as a common facility for food products; and strengthen collaborative efforts among government agencies, non-government organizations, and civil societies for poverty reduction and agro-industrial development.

The program was developed as a response to the lack of production plants and appropriate packaging facilities among small industries in the province.  According to Dr. Carlos M. Pascual, MMSU director for external linkages and partnerships and coordinator of the project, products must be developed and packaged in such a way that these can compete globally and are readily accessible to local consumers.  He said, however, that the cost of food product development is high due to the unavailability of equipment and the lack of initiative to develop a common toll facility; thus, the project.

This product development and packaging project will focus on seven priority OTOPS in Ilocos Norte.  These are:  bagnet, empanada, pork sausage (longganisa), corn kernel crisp (chichacorn), sugarcane wine (basi), sugarcane vinegar (sukang Iloko), and processed garlic product. These food products were identified under the OTOP concept in Ilocos Norte pursuant to Executive Order No. 176 issued Feb. 11, 2003 which aims to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs.

The project will emphasize on: process standardization/enhancement which includes facility upgrading of micro, medium, and small enterprises; safety aspects of food products such as the installation of current and good manufacturing practices and hazard analysis control points; and capability enhancement on process engineering and food safety management.

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Packaging R&D Center of the Department of Science and Technology, MMSU, and other concerned agencies will supervise, monitor, and evaluate the program as well as provide technical expertise.