The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. 1 (DOST-I) through its Provincial Science and Technology Center – La Union (PSTC- La Union) awarded financial assistance to the San Jose (Caba) Multi-purpose Cooperative (SJCMPC) to help in improving their products. The fund was released and awarded to the cooperative on last 30 July 2021 at the DOST-I office in San Fernando City, La Union.
SJCMPC, a cooperative that produces cassava cake, cassava puto, cassava flour and malunggay powder is located in San Jose Caba, La Union and is headed by Noel D. Banan. The cooperative received fund assistance worth PhP 128,000.00 for the provision of packaging materials and labeling design for their products.
The cooperative is registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) since 1991 that started with only 27 members. Now the cooperative has around 400 members.
As an active cooperative, they also have a rice milling business that also provided another source of income for their members. The cooperative also has already acquired their License-to-Operate (LTO) from the Food and Drug Administration.
Before the awarding of the cheques, Dr. Armando Q. Ganal, DOST regional director, discussed the responsibilities of both parties. Present during the awarding were Jonathan M. Viernes, provincial director of DOST–PSTC–LU and SJMPC Officers that included Noel D. Banan, chairperson; Evelyn Banan, manager; and Board of Directors, namely: Carolina Buenavista, Marino Balangue, and Cesar Farro.
The CBP-GIA of the DOST aims to harness the country’s scientific and technological capabilities by providing financial grants to S&T programs/projects to spur a sustainable economic growth for the country. (Ms. Catherine M. David, Project Assistant I, DOST PSTC-LU)
