CmuBulletin

A Special Issue for 4TH MINDANAO PAFT SUMMIT 2017

CMU-PAFT hosts

February 23, 2017

4

th Mindanao Summit

CMU PAFT Sigma Chapter hosted the 4th Mindanao PAFT (Philippine Association of Food Technologist) Summit 2017, with the theme “Addressing Food Security in Mindanao through Food Innovation and Production Intensification,” at the Farmers Training Center, February 22-24. The Mindanao summit aims to strengthen the role of Food Science and Technology in the establishment of food security in Mindanao. The summit also aimed to promote collaboration and solidarity among State Universities and Colleges offering BS Food Technology courses in Mindanao.

The three-day summit was composed of plenary sessions from the different speakers namely, Mr. Virgilio Fuertes, Provincial Science and Technology Center Bukidnon-Director; Ms. Celine Abegail Tan, MERCK representative; Mr. Audy G. Maagad, Department of AgricultureRegional Field Office 10 representative; Mr. Rodelio “Waway” Saway,

International Performing Artist and food security advocate; and Mr. Neil B. Abejuela, head, sustainable livelihood program, Hineleban Foundation. The summit was participated by different state universities and colleges from Mindanao such as Philippine Women’s College of Davao (PWC), Davao City; University

of Southern Mindanao (USM), Kabacan, Cotabato; Western Mindanao State University (WEMSU), Zamboanga, Sibugay; Cotabato Foundation College of Science & Technology (CFCST), Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato and Bukidnon State University (BukSU), Malaybalay City. “We are very happy that the summit is well-participated by different schools all over Mindanao that are offering BS Food Technology courses. It is our high hope that

we will continue to be united in uplifting food security in Mindanao ” Said Dr. Queenie Ann L. Curayag, Dean-Human Ecology. The summit gathered 300 participants, which is composed of faculties, graduates, and students of different participating schools that allowed them to establish linkages and give them the chance to interact with professionals in the field of Food Science and technology and other allied fields.

“The speakers were very relevant and also influential in inspiring and motivating FT students to be more equipped in advancing ideas into more challenging trend to address the changing needs of people nowadays the intensification of the food production in a way that everyone can benefit.” Lovely Lao Lato, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

The 4th Mindanao Summit was organized and sponsored by Philippine Association of Food Technologists-Sigma Chapter, Department of Food Science, College “We had fun meeting other students of Human Ecology, College of Human from other schools and learning new Ecology Student Council, Central knowledge from the speaker. This is a very Mindanao University, Zest-O, Highland great opportunity for us,” said Mayette Fresh, Del Monte Philippines Inc., MERCK, Calfoforo of Bukidnon State University. Dole Philippines Inc., and Department of Agriculture. Significantly, this summit has inspired students of the importance and relevance of Food Technology in the scope of food security.

Food Innovation and Commercialization

to ensure Food Security

‘‘

Bukidnon ranked 5th of the poorest provinces in the country with 45.1% poverty incidence among families,” said Mr. Neil B. Abejuela, head of the Hineleban Foundation’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.

He said that poverty is one of the major societal concerns in the country today especially in Bukidnon. Mr. Abejuela added that poverty today is linked to food insecurity and hunger. However, another plenary speaker, Dir. Virgilio Fuertes from the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) – Bukidnon stressed that armed

conflict or violence also caused too much hunger especially in Mindanao region. “Over 40% of the families were displaced at least once because of the violence [which resulted to] deterioration of living standards,” he added.

and food insecurity were showcased during the summit. These include the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Hineleban Foundation, Inc, among others.

Hence, several efforts from the participating government and private sectors to address poverty

One of the DOST’s food security initiatives include the putting up of Food Innovation Center (FIC). “It

is a unique food business incubation and economic development accelerator program. It is also a food industry resource focused on developing, and commercializing developed food products,” Dir. Fuertes asserted. He further stated that this does not solely aim for promoting science, technology, and innovation but to address poverty in the countryside “by providing avenues for economic development for every Juan and Maria.” However, Dir. Fuertes stressed that “product and food innovation is not just about being new or being different. It’s about creating new products that customers will love, taking different path [for] consumers to follow.”

In Mindanao, FICs are found in Zamboanga State College of Marine and Technology (ZSCMT), and in Philippine Women College (PWC), Matina, Davao City. In fact, the DOST are eying to introduce FIC in region 10. “Soon, DOST [will have] FIC in Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (MSUIIT), Central Mindanao University (CMU), and University of Science and Technology in Southern Philippines (USTSP),” Dir. Fuentes shared.

lemongrass, calamansi blend infused with turmeric and ginger) by the UPDiliman, uved (traditional ivatan food made from banana roots) by the Cagayan State UniversityCarig Campus, and many more.

Also, the DOST assists any individual or firm in production intensification through their Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program also known as SETUP. This program is a nationwide strategy Some of the award-winning aimed at encouraging and product innovations are assisting SMEs to adopt sea grapes powder or technological innovations lato powder innovated by so that their operations the ZSCMT, bukolyte (a will be improved and powdered form of coconut their productivity and water with no artificial competitiveness will be flavor and preservatives) enhanced.” by the PWC, tea tums (a healthy and ready to Their substantial support drink juices made from includes introduction of new technologies; technical

manpower training; access to capital; access to market, product standards and testing facilities; appropriate packaging and labeling; sustainable raw material supply; and access to information. In Bukidnon, DOST has SETUP clients such as the NM banana chips, New Nonies buko pie, Engallados organic rice, Barquillos, cakes and pastries such as Angels Log and Cakeboom. Dir. Fuertes said that he kept encouraging farmers to develop and process their products to ensure food security. “And as we partner with the state universities, there is no doubt that more of these products will find its way to ASEAN market, if not the world, through food innovation technologies.”

4th Mindanao PAFT Summit Participants in action.

Impressions ... Students

Mary Antonette Kabristante

Philippine Women’s College of Davao, Davao City

“

Inspiring in finding ways in solving food security problem and to learn IP way practices regarding crop production”

Bukidnon State University Students, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon CMU PAFT Sigma chapter had accommodated us very well and they had great activities prepared for the participants”

“

Kaye Santos

Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga Sibugay

“

It’s worth it to be here. The food, accommodation and the school itself is very nice”

Mavel Frasco

Central Mindanao University

“

the seminar enables students to rediscover the status of the environment to produce traditional food products while retaining its nutritive values.”

Faculty Advisers Analyn M. Polido

Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato

“Very informative-- the speakers are knowledgeable about their topics.”

Ivy Mar B. Cabornida,

University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato

resource speaker were able to share & promote activities of “Local the community”

All Rights Reserved Public Relations & Information Office ©2016 [email protected] DOCUMENTATION COMMITTEE Chair: April Rose Q. Torion|Communications Specialists: Ritchelle Mae S. Agustin, Renalyn G. Padoginog, Iyren A. Dalipe, Jubie U. Pacaldo and Jessie Jim T. Arriesgado| Design & Layout: Laurence Enriquez Manango and Cristy Eve P. Pace