DAVAO City Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella will pass on second reading next week an ordinance for a memorandum of agreement to strengthen multi-agency partnership for the existing Food Processing Innovation Center.
Abella, in an interview with VoxPop Davao on Friday, November 17, said the FPIC is a hub that that allows micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and big companies to process their fruit products.
"For example big companies like Del Monte, if they export pineapple those who cannot pass the export quality, they would value add that, dehydrate and convert it to candy," she said.
She added that it was stated in the MOA that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will be the one to provide the equipment; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be responsible for marketing; and the Local Government Unit (LGU) is tasked to give information drive to all farmers, businessmen, and the Chamber of Commerce that such facilities exist in the city.
"Those who wanted to conduct business for value adding, not only for dried fruits but also those who want powdered product like turmeric they have spray dry machine for that," she said.
"Turmeric can be powdered and they can repack it and supply to the groceries," Abella added.
Abella said that with the MOA, a stronger participation of the LGU is pushed.
"The city will inform the industry or the farmers or businessmen that there is food processing plant where they can process. We also encourage them to come up with their own product," she said.
She said the facility also has a research component and this can be also explored.
Abella added that during the committee hearing on Friday, fishermen who were able to attend the hearing were given the idea to develop seaweeds into a value added product.
She also asked the agencies to identify the businesses who have been utilizing the facility.