The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office VII’s first-ever Smart Food Value Chain Facility and Manufacturing Village is expected to extend its food microbiology laboratory services to Cebu’s western towns and cities by middle of June.

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the facility features the Cebu province’s first satellite and mobile Food Microbiology Laboratory, which is located in Barangay Colonia in the municipality of Tuburan.

"An important component of the facility is its Food Microbiology Laboratory which will provide testing services particularly in the western portion of the province to improve the quality and guarantee the safety of products,” he said in a report.

He noted that the laboratory is equipped with various instruments provided by DOST such as moisture analyzer, water activity meter, microbiology incubator, autoclave, pH meter, biosafety cabinet, and digital top loading balance.

"Another important feature of the facility is the unique dual food production area: one for fish processing and another for coco-based commodities,” he added.

The first-ever Smart Food Value Chain Facility and Manufacturing Village was launched by DOST VII in partnership with the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (Lamac MPC) on Jan. 27, 2021.

"While the production facility is now operational for both coconut and fish processing, the facility’s laboratory analysts are currently undergoing proficiency, coaching, and intensive technical training at the DOST-VII Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) in Cebu City since February and will be ready for laboratory services to clients starting June 15, 2021,” de la Peña said.

"The target coverage of the facility and manufacturing village are 10 towns and two cities in the western side of Cebu province” he said.