VIGAN CITY (PIA) - - Entrepreneurs of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ilocos Sur have expressed their gratitude to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTC) in the province, for constantly providing various assistance and support through science and technology.

The DOST recently conducted a livelihood training on ginger winemaking in Alilem town, which was attended by 15 members of the Apang Food Processor Association (AFPA), according to Project Assistant John Carlo Lopez of the DOST-PSTC Ilocos Sur in an episode of the PIA Ilocos Sur's radio program.

"Datoy a training ket dakkel a tulong kaniami tapno maimarketmi dagiti gingermi, saan laneng a kas tea no diketdi kas wine, isu a pagyamananmi lang unag ti datoy a training (This training is helpful for us to be able to market our products not just as tea but also as wine that’s why we are very grateful for this)," said AFPA President Anita Liyo.

During the training, the proper handling and preparation of raw materials, disinfection of equipment, food processing hygiene, standard procedures in producing ginger wine and proper storage were also discussed to the association to conform with good manufacturing practices and produce quality products.

A technology forum dubbed "From 3 to 23: Technology Forum on prolonging Shelf-life of Calamay" was also conducted by the DOST in Candon City on November 23.

Various science and technological innovations were introduced to the entrepreneurs such as vacuum packing to prolong the shelf life of the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) of the city to increase marketability and export potential.

"Mayat daytoy ta Vaccuum Pack lalo ta isu ti in demand didiay abroad ken mas ma-improvetayo pay ti kinabayag ti producttayo, kaya I encourage all of you ta agusartayo ti vaccuum pack for the betterment of our products (This is more effective because it’s vacuum pack, it’s also in-demand abroad and we can also improve the shelf life of our products),” said Estrelita Pantua of the Candon City Calamay and Cornik Association.

This resulted in the plan of the city government to establish an FDA-qualified production building for the calamayan of Candon City for the calamay producers to obtain FDA-License to Operate as stated by City Councilor Jaime Singson during the activity.

In partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the DOST also conducted the two-day Ube Fiesta: a Livelihood Training on Ube Powder Processing and other products out of Ube Powder to 17 members of the Sugpon Agriculture Cooperative in Sugpon town on November 24.

Talking to his constituents before the training began, Sugpon Mayor Daniel Laño requested them to focus on the training as it will be beneficial to them, especially for the improvement of their products.

“Agyamantayo ti grupo ti DOST ken DAR para ti full support nga it-itedda kaniatayo ket kas kanayon ko nga ibaga, saantayo koma sayangen dagitoy. Dagiti maadalyo tatta nga isuroda kaniayo ket dapat a mausaryo, isu lang ti simple a dawatko (We are grateful to the DOST and DAR for their full support, as I always say, please do not waste this opportunity. Utilize all the learnings and skills you gain here)," said Mayor Daniel Laño during the opening program.

The trainees were introduced to the production of ube halaya, bread roll with ube halaya filling, ube pastillas, and ube calamay. (JCR/JPD/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)