By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Geared towards accelerating economic development in the province, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is taking the lead in promoting products and technologies to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for commercialization. 

This effort is further intensified with the grand launch of the MMSU Science and Technology (S&T) Park and product expo held at the university’s Food Processing Innovation Center (FPIC) today, August 19. 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region I Director Armando Q. Ganal led the event which was attended by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and representatives of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, City Government of Batac, Department of Trade and Industry - Ilocos Norte, Department of Education - Division of Batac, and other officials of MMSU and DOST. 

PSCA said functionalizing the S&T park will benefit both the university and MSMEs. She thanked the DOST, DTI, provincial and local governments, and partner-entrepreneurs for their strong support, saying their collaboration with MMSU will surely foster economic growth in the province. 

S&T Park Director Dionisio Bucao explained that the facility shall promote MMSU's programs and products, and its services such as business incubation, capacity-building activities, partnership establishment, intellectual protection and management, and technology commercialization. 

"Through the park, the university can help empower MSMEs in generating employment and in advancing our local economies,” Dr. Bucao added.

During the event, the university’s research-based food products were featured: Black Garlic, ToMango Juice and Ketchup, Mango Choco Powder Mix, Mango-Kamangeg Sinigang Mix, Kamangeg Flour, Kamangeg Pacencia, pickled native egg, seaweed kropeck, and mango bread. 

Director Ganal hailed MMSU for establishing and operationalizing the FPIC even before the national program for food innovation center was conceived. 

City of Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua, who was represented by councilor Kitchel Pungtilan, said, “Today’s launching will again boost the interest of students in S&T. The generated products and technologies by faculty and staff prove how hardworking and positive the people of MMSU are.”

Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia A. Marcos, represented by provincial board member Giancarlo Crisostomo, congratulated MMSU and expressed hopes that the MMSU S&T Park will significantly harness the potential of local products. 

Immediately after the launch, MMSU and the Government of Laoag Employees Development Cooperative (GLEDCO) tied up to commercialize the university’s Black Garlic (BG) product. This was formalized in a memorandum of agreement signed by PSCA and GLEDCO Chairman Enrico Aurelio at the Social Innovations and Partnership (SIP) Hub. In the agreement, MMSU grants the cooperative a non-exclusive and non-transferable right to distribute, offer for sale, and sell BG. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)