DAGUPAN CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Ilocos, through its Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Pangasinan, awarded P175,000.00 worth of technology assistance to Angelique’s Premium Quality as the second beneficiary of the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) program in the region.
 
After due evaluation and completion of requirements as a beneficiary of the iFWD PH program, the Angelique’s Premium Quality, represented by Mrs. Mariliza Ortiz of Pugaro village in Manaoag town entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DOST.
 
Jennifer Fernandez, science research specialist, said the assistance will be used purposely to acquire heavy duty peanut grinder machine and thick liquid filling machine for production along with the shelf-life testing, microbial testing, chemical testing, and nutritional facts expenses as well as for the packaging and labeling of the product.
 
DOST staff Catherine Lictao showed the beneficiary how to make peanut butter, specifically how to prepare and roast peanuts.
 
During the presentation, Ms. Lictao emphasized that warming the oil before roasting the peanuts produces a good outcome and that adding butter to the product makes it tastier and adds a pleasant aroma.
 
The equipment was determined to be of good capacity and performance throughout the testing and demonstration.
 
Fernandez urged Ortiz to start producing peanut butter and assured the support of DOST in their business venture, particularly on their packaging and product testing needs as well as on the additional training and production improvement.
 
Mrs. Ortiz extended her gratitude and appreciation for the assistance given to them.
 
“Thank you DOST for extending help to us. Surely, I will give my full cooperation for the effective and efficient implementation of the project,” she added.
 
The iFWD PH is a DoST program that includes capacity building and financial assistance for OFWs and its beneficiaries who have been repatriated or have come back to the Philippines and decided to stay in the country for good.
 
The program aims to provide support and wide-range opportunities for OFWs and their immediate families to establish technology-based enterprises in their own provinces, allowing them to finally choose to stay in the country instead of being far away from their families.
 
Last year, the DOST also awarded technology assistance to the Aling Ters’ty Water Station in San Manuel, Pangasinan for being the first iFWD PH grantee in the region. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)