DOST grants P500,000-aid to public college for creation of food innovation center in Davao Occidental
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has extended P500,000 worth of science and technology (S&T) aid to a public college for the establishment of an innovation center that would make coastal communities self-sufficient and food secure in Davao Occidental.

The DOST-XI provided the assistance to the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) as part of its implementation of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) project in the province.
"DOST-XI, through its Provincial Science and Technology Center in Davao Occidental, officially granted the financial assistance to support the goal of making coastal communities self-sufficient and food secure through the establishment of the Food Processing Innovation Center (FPIC),” it said in a statement.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed on May 18 to pave way for the creation of the FPIC.
"The Center is a collaborative project by the different national agencies with SPAMAST that will provide an avenue for the development of new and innovative products for commercialization,” the DOST-XI said.
Under the MOA, the DOST-XI is expected to provide this year technological aid for the purchase of vacuum frying machine.
"Other partner agencies also committed to provide funding for the acquisition of other production equipment while SPAMAST will provide for the building facility which will be open for all constituents in the community especially the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for a fee,” the DOST-XI said.
The aid granted for the purchase of the facility’s equipment is part of the DOST-XI’s implementation of CEST program in Barangays Demoloc, Pinalpalan, Little Baguio, Manuel Peralta, Mana, Lais, Fishing Village, in Davao Occidental.
"The project will focus on all components, ensuring access to quality information that can be used to empower education and teaching techniques and provide opportunities to the marginalized sectors.”
Gracing the ceremonial signing of the MOA held at SPAMAST, Malita, Davao Occidental were SPAMAST President Dr. Ruth S. Lucero, Provincial Science and Technology Center – Davao Occidental Director Maria Victoria I. Dado, and SPAMAST Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (IFMS) Dean Dr. Marlyn Llameg.