Eastern Visayas State University and the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 8 conducted a ceremonial signing to renew its Memorandum of Agreement for the project “Strengthening the Product Development Services of EVFIC for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises ( MSMEs) in Eastern Visayas” on May 18, 2022 at the ORDEx Studio Room.
Eastern Visayas Food Innovation Center (EVFIC) was officially launched last September 26, 2015 by EVSU and DOST. With the MOA renewal, EVFIC will operate for another three years in order to give opportunities for local residents to develop their ideas and concepts in the field of food processing into innovative and marketable products, and avail of a range of services that include extensive trainings on food development process, technical consultancy, as well as packaging and labeling design.
Primarily, the project aims to transform concepts into products; enable product innovation and diversification to maximize value addition to diverse agricultural and fishery resources of Eastern Visayas.
Secondary program goals of the project which both agencies commit to achieve are as follows:
- upgrade manufacturing operations and processing systems through application of new technologies;
- standardize local processing technologies to establish quality standards for products of the region;
- design packaging for regional products that retain uniqueness, improve marketability, withstand inefficiencies in the transport system, and comply with standards and regulations in domestic and export markets;
- strengthen research, development and extension services of the SUC and other partner institutions; and
- commercialize technologies developed by DOST Research and Development Institutes (RDIs) and other R&D institutions.
EVSU is mandated to undertake Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) programs that are geared towards the improvement of the quality of life of the Filipino people. Further, the University is committed to generate and transfer knowledge and technologies to address problems of key industry sectors of the region through its RDE programs. Meanwhile, as part of its strategy in enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs, the DOST VIII intends to establish an Innovation Center to provide critical S&T services in priority sector such as the food processing industry.
Present during the MOA Signing were Dr. Dennis de Paz, EVSU President, Ms. Marilyn Radam, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations of DOST 8, Dr. John Glenn Ocaña, Provincial S&T Director, Dr. Benedicto Militante, VP for Research & Development and Extension Services. Other administrative and academic officials who witnessed the said event were Dr. Lydia Morante, VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Danilo Pulma, VP for Internationalization and External Affairs, Dr. Hilaria Bustamante, EVFIC Center Director and Dean of the College of Technology, Dr. Rose Anna Refuerzo, Dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Prof. Mark Rembert Patindol, EVFIC Operations Manager, Ms. Marlene Lim, Director for Finance Services, Ms. Celedonia Cabillan, Budget Office Head, and other EVSU and DOST 8 staff and employees.
