Basco, Batanes – People in this capital town in the country’s northernmost province may develop and sell their products with the help of an enhanced testing facility.
On Monday, Aug. 19, the Batanes State College (BSC) launched its laboratory that will serve as a testing hub for people who want to innovate products in their town.
The project was funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and its regional office.
Officials inaugurated seven new equipment, including incubation for water analysis and fermentation apparatus. The facility is capable of testing eight indigenous resources for product development and possible commercialization.
Leobert Banzali, project leader from the BSC, said products from the facility may be sold by 2025.
“Before distributing iyong products sa community para ibenta, ang gagawin naming ay i-invite namin sila and kami iyong magtrain sa kanila sa production and testing ng mga products including packaging and labeling,” he said.
[Translation: Before distributing products to the community for commercialization, we will invite local developers first and we will train them on production and testing, as well in packaging and labeling of goods]
Boosting tourism, economy
Meanwhile, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the project has the potential to boost tourism and the local economy.
“Kung titingnan natin ang Batanes ano ang produkto nila? Eco-tourism, mga pagkain, mga inumin, micro-small and medium enterprises. And pagdating sa bagay na iyan lalo na para maengganyo ang turista at pati na rin sa mga lokal na mamamayan rito, kailangan masigurado na iyong kanilang kinakain at iniinom at tinitinda ay safe,” he said.
[Translation: If we’re going to look at Batanes, what’s their product? Eco-tourism, food, drinks, and micro-small medium enterprises. And when it comes to these, international and local tourists should be assured that the products they are going to consume here are safe.]
The DOST chief said he is hoping the project would be sustainable.
“Gusto nating ipakita sa ating mga kababayan dito na gusto mag-business na sa siyensya at teknolohiya, marami na kaming natulungan. Naging successful nila. Kaya ang conclusion sa siyensiya at teknolohiya, negosyo nila tiyak na kikita,” he said.
[Translation: We want to show residents here who would like to open their business that science and technology could help a lot of people. They had been successful. So our conclusion is that through science and technology, their businesses will really earn.]
