DOST opens packaging, labeling and metrology centers

By Venus G. Villanueva

Wednesday 8th of August 2012

KALIBO, Aklan, Aug 8 (PIA6) -- Aklan’s food producers can now give other food manufacturers from other provinces a run for their money with the opening here today of the Packaging and Labeling Center at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) located at the provincial capitol compound.

In the same occasion, the DOST also opened the Metrology Center, also housed here.

According to Jairus Lachica, DOST-Aklan provincial director, the packaging center, in cooperation with the Aklan Food Producers Development Cooperative (AFPDC) will be providing affordable packaging services to micro, small and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in order to create more improved products and increase their marketability through enhanced product packaging.

The Metrology Center, on the other hand, is being established in cooperation with the Aklan State University (ASU) to cater to the needs of local entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Aklan on mass and volume calibration of equipment.

The launching of the two centers was graced by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, ASU President Benny A. Palma, and AFPDC President Roselita Sauza, who all lauded the move of the DOST which would make Aklan’s food products and other crafts more competitive in the market.

“We have the best beach in the world with Boracay Island, it is high time our best products should be packaged attractively to compete with others coming from other provinces with the help of our packaging and labeling center,” said DOST Provincial Director Jairus Lachica in his message after the ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremonies.

Lachica’s sentiment was echoed by Sauza, AFPDC president and producer of Rosa Foods processed meat products, who said with the packaging center, tourists would now better appreciate and take home Aklan’s food products instead of those coming from other provinces which are being preferred due their attractive packaging and easy handling.

“We have to develop attractive packaging of our products, or else we will be left behind, with no market for our products even in our own province. We should benefit from Boracay’s being proclaimed as the number 1 beach in the world,” Sauza said.

Governor Carlito Marquez said better packaging and labeling of Aklan’s food products is very important for longer shelf life and quality of goods.

“Good packaging of products will greatly help our entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our economy. Entrepreneurship provides growth in our industry,” Marquez said. (JCM/VGV-PIA 6, Aklan)