San Mateo, Isabela—The Department of Science and Technology has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with stakeholders as it recently strengthened its support for the Mung Bean Research and Development program here.
The MOU was signed by Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, DOST Regional Director Engr. Sancho Mabborang, San Mateo town Mayor Crispina Agcaoili, Vice Mayor Robert Agcaoili, and Isabela State University president Ricmar Aquino.
The agreement states that DOST will provide technical and financial support and stimulate technologies and products relative to the program.
Isabela State University will provide manpower on the groundwork of proposal for external funding and conduct related research studies.
ISU will provide capacity development on mung bean farming to LGU personnel, and the local government of San Mateo will provide the necessary logistics, funding and coordinative support in the conduct of trainings and related activities.
The MOU is expected to take effect this year until 2024, according to DOST.
Dela Peña said there are numerous research and development (R&D) projects that are considered carefully by university faculty members but not developed and realized due to lack of funds.
“I will support R&D projects that would be brought closer to the market and motivate to conduct innovative research on products out of munggo such as alternative foods like noodles and other products since Region 2 is vulnerable to disasters,” Dela Pena said.
Mayor Agcaoili, expressed gratitude to Secretary Dela Peña and Mabborang for bringing DOST closer to San Mateo and ISU.
“With this innovation that will help the populace in the locality, we are considering onward for greater opportunities with DOST, “Agcaoli stressed.
Vice Mayor Agcaoili said: “This is a momentous innovation in San Mateo for being chosen as beneficiary of Research and Development in munggo.”
This program will contribute to the technology development value chain, as it provides the means for the industry to undertake R&D and acquire advanced technology for global competitiveness, the Agcaoilis said.
San Mateo town is regarded as the Mungbean Capital of the Philippines. Aside from providing an additional income source of the farmers, members of different local women’s organization have started processing mungbean into different food items like munggo pulvoron, pancit, empanada, butchi, balatong, chips, flour and coffee.
These products are available in the market, giving residents more livelihood opportunities, Agcaoili added.
“With this innovation that will help the populace in the locality, we are considering onward for greater opportunities with DOST,” the mayor stressed.
Aquino assured the full support of the faculty researchers of the University in the conduct of research activities related to mung bean products.
“With the support of the DOST, we could produce additional products out of munggo, and come up with new technologies for mung bean production,” Aquino stressed.
Last May 9, the DOST conducted its Mung Bean Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) in this town.