By Princes Elaine Y. Espongja, BA ELS-4, OJT

The Central Philippine University (CPU) BS Packaging Engineering Department is working in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI) via its Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) to offer packaging development support of products developed by CEST communities all over Western Visayas.

The intended objective of the partnership is to aid the development of the appropriate packaging of products designed by the communities belonging to the CEST Program. Both the technical aspect and market appropriateness will be considered to safeguard product quality and in due course expand their market reach.

The orientation of the said alliance was done virtually via Zoom teleconferencing and was preceded by a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the DOST VI and CPU. Present were DOST VI faculty and students from CPU’s BS Packaging Engineering Department. As part of this partnership, the students who participated were divided into groups and to be assigned a product from a CEST community to conduct product packaging development.

The groups formed include; Rerunts in charge of Bottled Bangus in Oil in Antique, Beorhtwulf in charge of Ready-to-Drink Calamansi Juice and Calamansi Concentrate in Guimaras, Innovatus in charge of Kape Miro in Iloilo, and Crewgated in charge of Canlandog Mountain Coffee in Negros Occidental.

Moreover, the DOST VI chose CPU as its partner since they are the only Higher Education Institute (HEI) in Western Visayas having a BS Packaging Engineering program. Additionally, CPU’s curriculum consists of Packaging Innovation and Development as one of the core subjects which can be contributory in advancing community-based enterprises assisted under the DOST CEST program.

The partnership already commenced and meetings with CEST communities and Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) are being directed virtually. Later, the CPU will administer site visits with the assistance of DOST VI.

“DOST VI acknowledges the successful collaborations and partnerships they made with CPU, particularly in the field of packaging development in the region.” (JGagajena, DOST VI KMU)