CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A state-of-the-art research, manufacturing and development facility will soon rise in the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.
The Department of Science and Technology-Central Luzon (DOST-3) has partnered with Bauertek Corp., a manufacturer of high-quality food supplements, for the establishment of the facility that will focus on the extraction and processing of high-purity curcumin, piperine, allicin, jamun and other bioactive compounds for the food and agriculture industry.
The partnership is under the DOST's Business Innovation through Science and Technology program.
DOST-3 Regional Director Dr. Julius Caesar Sicat said on Tuesday the project is timely and would be of great help to DOST’s goal of making the Science City of Muñoz the first and model smart city not just in Central Luzon but in the Philippines.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng high-end laboratory equipment na maaring magamit hindi lang ng Bauertek Corp. but also our researchers in Central Luzon para maka-conduct sila ng higher level research. Yan yung isa sa napakagandang opportunity na nakikita ko na that will be a game changer to push itong indigenous plant materials into something our farmers could make money from (We will have high-end laboratory equipment that can be used not only by Bauertek Corp. but also our researchers in Central Luzon so that they can conduct higher level research. This is one of the great opportunities that I see which will be a game changer to push our indigenous plant materials into something that our farmers could make money from)," Sicat said in a radio interview.
He encouraged everyone especially the academe, private partners and innovators to develop relevant and innovative technologies ready for commercialization.
"Because through these efforts, we are not just helping the community, we are also helping them believe that science works," he added.
To be put up in a 16-hectare lot inside the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) compound, the facility will have an herbal processing center, plantation, research and visitor's center, among others.
The Bauertek Corp. and the CLSU forged an agreement for the establishment of the facility last Nov. 13.
The collaborative project will provide faculty and staff researchers and students with opportunities to see and experience high-end laboratories and will generate more jobs and income for the Science City of Muñoz.
Construction starts this month and is expected to finish within two years. (PNA)
