DOST and JICA Signing of Technical Cooperation Agreement for the Project on “Improvement of Packaging Technology for Philippine Food Products in the Regions”

The Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) extends assistance to the Government of the Philippines through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the implementation of the project “Improvement of Packaging Technology for Philippine Food Products in the Regions”. The over-all goal of the project is to increase the marketability of SME food products in local andexport markets. The Packaging R&D Center (PRDC), a flagship program of DOST is the direct beneficiary and implementor of the JICA project.

In September 1999, realizing the importance of packaging at all stages in the product supply chain, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) established the Packaging R&D Center (PRDC) in September 1999, Its mandate is to make local industries and their products globally competitive through world class, innovative and sustainable packaging technology. It is currently the only organization in the Philippines that can provide assistance on packaging technology fpr SMEs systematically and comprehensively. The Center acts as the professional group on packaging technology for SMEs in making their products competitive beyond the limited radius of the region. The impact of PRDC's packaging interventions could be equated with the strong performance of its clients, mostly SMEs, both in the domestic and export markets.

However, it is necessary for PRDC to continuously learn and build up its knowledge on new packaging technologies to strengthen its capacity and to reinforce its activities to disseminate such new technologies in the region so that it can provide its services to SMEs in much wider business fields. Japan being one of the leaders in packaging technology could facilitate the learning process and enhancement of PRDC capacity in satisfying the packaging needs of SMEs. Under this circumstance, PRDC submitted a project proposal on “Improvement/Development of Packaging Systems for Philippine Food Products in the Region” for consideration by the Japanese Government under the JICA's Project Type Technical Cooperation Program. JICA dispatched two Japanese Experts last year and upon their assessment and evaluation found that the project is feasible for implementation and recommended for the new project title “ Improvement of Packaging Technology for Philippine Food Products in the Regions”. The Japanese Experts reported that there are many products of SMEs in the region which could reach wider markets through the improvement of packaging.

The JICA assistance is focused on technology transfer of new and/or appropriate packaging technology from Japan to the Philippines through the PRDC. JICA provisions for technology transfer include packaging equipment and testing instruments, dispatch of Japanese Experts, and training of PRDC personnel in Japan . Project duration is from June 2005 to May 2009.

The signing of the technical agreement was held last June 24, 2005 at the JICA Office RCBC Plaza . Signatories of the Technical Agreement are for Japanese Side, Mr.Shozo Matsuura, JICA Resident Representative, and for the Philippines Side, Dr. Rogelio A. Panlasigui, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST and Ms. Daisy E. Tañafranca, Program Leader of PRDC, Project Director and Project Manager for the JICA Project respectively.