Since its establishment in October 2020, the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) “1st Science for the People-Smart Food Value Chain Facility and Manufacturing Village” in Tuburan, Cebu has benefited 250 farmers.

The DOST said its first ever on-site mobile food testing laboratory and facility sought “to develop an agricultural innovative technology for food safety that is self-sustaining, and can transform raw agricultural materials to become high-value and high-quality products.”

The facility is led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office VII and the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LAMAC MPC).

“In less than a year, 250 farmers have benefited from the facility’s state-of-the-art equipment, testing services, production operation for both coconut and fish processing,” the DOST said.

It was in July when the pioneering satellite and mobile food microbiology laboratory became fully operational.

The DOST said the facility provided employment to community women who served as quality controller in the facility. They were trained by DOST Region VII testing laboratory experts and full-time women workers in the facility who are active members of the agency’s Community Empowerment for Science and Technology (CEST) program.

“Gearing towards another year, the DOST aims to expand the manufacturing village through collaboration with partner agencies, the LMPC-COCOHUB management in collaboration with Philippine Coconut Authority that will establish a Coconut Water Ice Plant and Storage for the fisherfolks and fish vendors in town,” the DOST said.

It said the success of the facility proved that science, technology, and innovation have the power to transform marginalized communities to empowered and self-sustaining communities.

The facility will be showcased during the week-long celebration of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) from Nov. 22-28.