As the Project titled “Support to the Operations of the Zamboanga Peninsula Mobile Modular Food Processing Facility (MMFPF)-Drying Module” is nearing its completion and culmination, a meeting cum workshop for the preliminary review and evaluation of the Project based on approved program of activities and deliverables was conducted today, July 23, 2025 by the MMFPF Project team of Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST), in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office IX. The event was held at the Viewing Deck of the ZSCMST’s Zamboanga Peninsula Food Innovation Center (ZPFIC).

Among the accomplishments reviewed and duly noted were the ZamPen MMFPF Operations Manual that has been validated by DOST representatives and duly approved by the ZSCMST Board of Trustees, ZamPen MMFPF Food Safety Manual, ZamPen MMFPF Training Module on the Drying of Selected Food Commodities Using the MMFPF (Drying Module), Manual on the Operation and Maintenance of ZamPen MMFPF (Drying Module) Equipment, including the Narrative Reports re: ZamPen MMFPF Project Launch, deployment of the ZamPen MMFPF in Dipolog City and the complementary field activities conducted (i.e., Techno-Demo, Stakeholders’ Forum, and ZamPen MMFPF Viewing/Open House, and Technical Consultation with micro-small and medium enterprises in Dipolog City), participation in Trade Fairs and exhibits, development of dried/dehydrated product prototypes, and scaling up of production for selected food commodities to assess readiness of the MMFPF for micro toll processing, among others.

The said activity also served as avenue to gather valuable insights and recommendations that may inform the planning and design of future initiatives. Among the concerns are the technical operations and management aspects and sustainability of the ZamPen MMFPF, including the probable ways forward that could be better addressed through a prospective Phase II of the Project, if warranted, in order to push for potential outcomes and impact that are aligned with the aspirations and vision that guided the DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) during its conceptualization of the MMFPF as a national DOST project rollout.

In attendance during the activity were Ms. Merly T. Alivio, DOST IX Focal Person for the ZamPen MMFPF Project, and the ZSCMST MMFPF Project team lead by Ms. Divinia U. Ramillano, Project Leader, and Dr. Roy L. Valesco, ZSCMST President and MMFPF Project Administrator.

The MMFPF, dubbed as “FoodtrIP (Food on-the-road Innovation and Processing Facility)”, is a national project rollout that was initiated and spearheaded by the DOST-ITDI in partnership with selected DOST Regional Offices and in collaboration with various implementing institutions coming from the academe and the local government units. It was funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) under the “Smart Food Value Chain Program for the New Normal”. Overall, the national MMFPF Project hopes to address the recurrent surplus production and/or underutilization of high-value food products, specifically fruits, vegetables, and marine products, in the regions. The MMFPF is intended to be compliant to current safety and regulatory standards to include Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices.

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