With the launching of the Department of Science and Technology- National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) of the Metro Manila’s First Food Innovation Facility at the University of the Philippines Diliman- Department of Science and Technology Food Innovation Facility (UPD-DOST-FIF) on December 15, 2016 at the UP Diliman College of Home Economics, Quezon City, Filipino Food Manufacturers can now more effectively meet the demands of their consumers for exciting new food products.

Key officials from DOST, headed by Sec. Fortunato T. de la Peña and DOST-NCR Officer-in-charge Engr, Edgar T. Garcia, key officials from UP, led by UPD Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gisela P. Concepcion and UP College of Home Economics Dean, Dr. Aurorita T. Roldan, attended the event.

DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, in his opening remarks emphasized that the Department will continue to collaborate with other higher education institutions to ensure that venues to strengthen the country’s research and development capabilities will be established. He added that DOST is excited to see more food innovations from local entrepreneurs through the UPD-DOST-FIF.

The FIF was established via a memorandum signed between DOST-NCR and UP Diliman.

The UP-DOST-FIF will enable local entrepreneurs to better compete with their regional counterparts in next generation food trends, since FIF while serving as a hub for innovation provides the necessary conducive environment to inspire the development of processed foods using state-of-the-art DOST-fabricated equipment.

The FIF will also provide its clients with technical support through R&D (Research and Development) assistance and consultancy services. It will likewise assist other researchers, local entrepreneurs, government regulatory agencies and higher education institutions (HEIs) in using the high impact technology solutions (HITs) equipment provided by DOST.

“Tea-tums”, a turmeric-ginger-lemongrass infused citrus juice drink and kam-pow or kamia’s powder-have already won in a competition for prototypes developed in all of the FIF nationwide.

Researchers and food technology experts from UPD are looking forward to development of 500 other product prototypes in the facility for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) adoption

In Metro Manila alone with the huge number of companies engaged in food manufacturing, the launching of the FIF is seen to bring out the Filipinos’ creativity and adventurous spirit, which all translate to a more exciting food scene for consumers here and abroad.