TABUK CITY Kalinga – The provincial offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Kalinga), Department of Science and Technology (DOST-Kalinga), and Kalinga State University (KSU) launched the province’s first food and analytical laboratory today, September 30, 2022.
The facility is a game changer to micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly food manufacturers, as they no longer need to go outside Kalinga to get their products tested, not to mention laboratory testing is essential to ensure safety and quality, and to pass market standards.
Located in the KSU’s Central Science Laboratory building, the food and analytical laboratory is equipped to do phytochemical screening, crude fat analyses, total sugar analyses, physicochemical analysis of water, microbial analysis, testing for the presence of heavy metals, pH testing, among others.
The laboratory was made possible through the convergence of DTI-Kalinga which granted around Php 4 million for equipment through its Shared Service Facility Program, DOST-Kalinga which provided technical assistance, and the KSU which will run the laboratory under the guidance of the said agencies.
“This laboratory is really very important because it will ensure the safety of the consumers. We have to make sure that they are eating good food, and that has to be certified,” said DTI-Cordillera Regional Director Juliet Lucas at the launching.
“There were 154 new products developed this year from among your MSMEs and I hope they are coming for lab testing,” she said.
Aside from helping MSMEs, the laboratory is also seen to boost KSU’s standing in the field of research and benefit students of its science-related programs. “We encourage our researchers, our faculty, and our students to make use of this facility,” KSU president Eduardo Bagtang said.
Mayor Darwin Estrañero, through his representative Henry Gupaal, welcomed the opening of the facility which will give a big boost the development of products of MSMEs, most of which do business in the city.
The launching ceremony was also attended by Regie Wacas, representative of Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang; Aira Edduba, representative of Governor James Edduba; DOST-Kalinga officer-in-charge Dexy Catacutan; DTI-Kalinga Provincial Director Renie M. Ramos; officers and members of the Kalinga Producers Association, and other guests.
