The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Quezon Provincial Office, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) IV and the Department of Food Technology of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), conducted the coconut-based food products innovation project presentation and match on 4 March 2022, via zoom. The collaboration started when Provincial Director (PD) Julieta L. Tadiosa called PCA and introduced the project under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (CFITF). Through this, the DTI is tasked with implementing plans and programs under research, marketing, and promotion for coconut MSMEs.
The event formally started at 9:00 am with a total of 126 participants, which was composed of 3rd year UST Food Technology students, farmers from different associations, LGU officials, representatives from different DTI and PCA offices, and the main host, DTI Quezon.
PD Tadiosa and DTI Region 4A Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo gave their opening messages to welcome all the participants to the event. Followed by Ms. Anna Marie V. Quincina, Division Chief of BDD-DTI Quezon, wherein she discussed the overview of the project and the purpose of the event.
Ms. Mayeth Perez, Project Development Officer IV of PCA Region IV, introduced the project beneficiaries from different farmer groups/associations. At the same time, Ms. Essence Jeanne Del Castillo, Chair Department of Food Technology, UST, introduces the UST Food Technology Research team.
Ms. Del Castillo, Chair of the UST Department of Food Technology, presented their proposed timeline for the research. The proposal writing of students is expected to be done during their 2nd term and 3rd term (Jan – May 2022). Then their 1st term-4th year (Aug – Dec 2022) will be the start of the formulation and experimentation, and the rest of their 2nd term-4th year (Jan-May 2023) for the shelf life, thesis writing, and presentation.
On behalf of Mr. Joselito Alcantara, Provincial Coconut Development Manager of PCA-Quezon 1, Sir Warren De Guzman gave his closing remarks and thanked everyone who organized the event.♦
Date of Release: 21 April 2022