Cagayan Valley food processors get more than P2 million assistance from DOST
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (26 October) -- Food processors in Cagayan Valley have already availed 44 percent of the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) fund last year which subsequently showed improvements on their inome.
SETUP is a DOST program intended for the establishment and enhancement of livelihood activities in the countryside in line with the 10-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Urduja Tejada, DOST acting regional director said at least P2,104,800.00 have been released to various food processors in the region who started as clients of the regional office for technical assistance on food processing upgrading.
With the SETUP, technical interventions such as fabrication, purchase of equipment, product development, packaging, labeling and marketing, Tejada said.
Amancia Magusib, chair of the SETUP's Review and Technical Evaluation Committee(RTEC) and in-charge of DOST's technical services division said the recipients of the program are now realizing 50 percent increase in their income.
The recipients of the DOST funding and technical assistance were the Nueva Vizcaya Abot palad Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc., Luyang Womens' Association, HOMM's Food Products and the LLM Trading in Nueva Vizcaya; Bing-Bong's Original and Rapada's Premium Patis in Cagayan and Robelly's Food Products in Isabela province.
The food processor-recipients are engaged in the production of dried mango, pineapple, ginger tea, fried garlic, organic vinegar, fresh and dried mushrooms of the osyter, volvariella and shitake varieties; fruit juices, bignay wine, mango puree, pickled fruits and vegetables, fruit vinegar, chicharon, pastilles, fish sauce, fish paste and soy sauce. (PIA NVizcaya) [top]
