By Crisdeniele H.Clemente

BATAC, ILOCOS NORTE – The Indigenous Food Research Consortium (IFRC) based in Mariano Marcos State University is currently hosting its first-ever Probiotics and Functional Foods Asian Summit themed, “FLAM (From Farm to Lab, Accelerated to the Market): Harnessing Probiotics and Functional Foods in Bridging Health and Nutrition Divides,” Discussions about research-driven and innovative food processing systems have started today, December 4.

The three-day summit, being held at the university's Teatro Ilocandia, brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals who will collaboratively discuss about the role probiotics and functional foods play in addressing issues on health, food, and nutritional security.

MMSU collaborated with Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), alongside national and international Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and local industries, to host the summit. 

Joining the first day of the event are CHED Region 1 Director and ISPSC officer-in-charge Dr. Christine Ferrer and DMMMSU President Dr. Jaime Manuel, represented by Dr. Antonio Ogbinar, the vice president for administration.

Dr. Richard Nixon Gomez, BaurTek Corporation chief executive officer, and Dr. Cynthia Palmes-Saloma, Philippine Genome Center executive director, keynoted the summit.

Dr. Gomez shared BaurTek’s vast experience as an industry partner for food manufacturing initiatives, while Dr. Saloma discussed innovations in functional food products and probiogenomics. They inspired IFRC to forge partnerships and execute actions for the development of probiotics and functional foods.

The summit’s plenary speakers are from both national and international institutions, such as experts from the Asian Institute of Technology from Thailand; Kasetsart University from Thailand; National Institute of Technology (Kosen), Oyoma College from Japan; Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University from Japan; Rutgers University from the United States; University of the Philippines (UP) Manila; UP Los Banos; UP Visayas; University of San Agustin Iloilo City; Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology; and Herbanext Laboratories, Incorporated. 

Particularly, the summit tackles novel research methodologies and advanced technologies on the development of probiotics and functional foods toward the promotion of health and nutrition.

MMSU President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis underscored the significance of the inaugural PFC Asian Summit as a way to share and commemorate the progress made by the region’s IFRC. “This summit stands as a testament to our collective commitment, marking a significant step towards a future where research and innovation drive positive change for the benefit of society” she stressed.

Dr. Agrupis also thanked the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its strategic investment in research and development, aligning with the Agenda for Prosperity of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. She emphasized that this investment is directed towards critical areas such as food security, sustainable agriculture, good health and nutrition, as well as economic and countryside development.

Throwing in his full support, Congressman Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, representative of the First District of Ilocos Norte and senior deputy majority leader, in his message read by MMSU strategic communication director Herdy L. Yumul, a consultant of his office, expressed confidence “that the insights gained and connections forged during this summit will pave the way for transformative advancements in the field.” The knowledge shared and collaborations initiated will undoubtedly contribute to elevating health and nutrition standards in the Philippines and beyond. He wished that “the momentum generated during the summit will inspire positive change and propel our shared vision for a healthier, more resilient future in a Bagong Pilipinas.

After the opening program, MMSU forged ties with Bauertek corporation and the University of San Agustin through a ceremonial memorandum of agreement and understanding. 

The MMSU-based IFRC was launched in January, this year. With a P289-M funding from CHED, the consortium aims to enhance the development and advocacy of native food plants and to enhance methods for formulating and advancing probiotic products like beverages, probiotic food, and pharmaceutical formulations. In March, IFRC researchers participated in a two-week training on probiotics, prebiotics, and functional food products organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand. (JVBT, StratCom)