The Department of Science and Technology’s XI (DOST XI) Food Processing Innovation Center-Davao (FPIC-Davao) was bestowed the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) prestigious Pagasa Award- a distinguished category of the 2023 Search for Outstanding Government Workers, marking a significant milestone for the field of food technology in the region.
The FPIC-Davao is the first Regional Food Innovation Center in the Philippines and was recognized for its exceptional contributions to the food processing industry. The Center was established as part of the DOST High Impact Technology Solutions program.
The collaborative efforts of the FPIC-Davao team, led by DOST XI Chief Science Research Specialist Mirasol Domingo, Supervising Science Research Specialists Ms. Sheryl Napoco, Science Research Specialist Ms. Dorothy Joy Candilas, and Chief Science Research Specialist Fred Liza, played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and growth in the food technology sector.
In a press release, CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles commended the Center, stating, “Their collaborative efforts with multiple sectors have encouraged competition, inspired more students to pursue careers in food technology, and contributed to the advancement of the food processing industry in the Davao Region.”
The FPIC-Davao which is housed in the Philippine Women’s College has embraced the pentahelix model of collaboration, involving the academe as the host organization, government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, and the media. This approach has positioned FPIC-Davao as the only Regional Food Innovation Center with a separate legal personality, FDA registration, and a copyrighted operations manual.
Under the dynamic collaboration model, the FPIC-Davao has achieved remarkable milestones, including the production of 48 innovative food products, ongoing negotiations for three products with potential technology adopters, and serving 174 customers on product development. The Center has also secured 37 utility model registrations and garnered over six prestigious awards between 2020 and 2022.
To celebrate their outstanding achievements, the FPIC-Davao team received the Pagasa Award in a ceremony held at Malacañang Palace. This recognition not only highlights the excellence of the FPIC-Davao but also underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing technological solutions within the government sector.
