By Mark Ian C. Tagami, Correspondent

As part of its goal to make Ilocos Norte as the black garlic (BG) capital in the Philippines, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has partnered with the Government of Laoag Employees Development Cooperative (GLEDCO) to commercialize BG products. 

The university has granted the cooperative a non-exclusive and non-transferable right to distribute, offer for sale, and sell BG to the general public. 

This is reflected in a memorandum of agreement signed by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and GLEDCO Chairperson Enrico Aurelio at the University Social Innovations and Partnerships (SIP) Hub on August 19. 

In the agreement, MMSU will produce at a commercial scale a minimum of 1,200 BG packs (100 grams per pack) for six months, which shall be bought by GLEDCO on a monthly basis. The target is to produce at least 200 packs at Php 120 each per month. 

The cooperative shall likewise take charge of product distribution, marketing, pricing, and advertisements, while, the university marketing center will provide technical assistance to the cooperative in BG production and marketing.

PSCA considers the tie-up as a significant step in the commercialization of university products, technology transfer, employment, and in the creation of new enterprises in the region.

Chairperson Aurelio thanked MMSU for its trust to the cooperative, assuring they can contribute to the achievement of its aim to commercialize its technologies and products. 

The MMSU-GLEDCO MOA signing followed the grand launch of the MMSU Science and Technology Park and product expo.

Black garlic is an aged white garlic that is produced from the perfect mixture of heat and humidity for about 30 days without any additional treatments and additives. It is sweet with hints of balsamic vinegar or tamarind, but with no strong offensive flavor of the original fresh garlic. It is now locally produced in Ilocos Norte through MMSU, Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, and Japanese company Takara, Inc. (HLY/JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)