To develop the processing and handling of mussels (Asian green mussels) chips, deeply fried snack, DoST Calabarzon (Department of Science and Technology-Calabarzon) through the Cavite Provincial Science and Technology Center, granted Virgie Lopez, financial assistance for the acquisition of packaging and sealing equipment.
Lopez is the owner of Ocean Fresh Tahong Chips, one of the recognized producers in town, located at Sineguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite.
The mussels chips producer received P350,000 from the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), banner project of the science and technology department.
The acquisition of the new equipment let the company to manufacture tahong chips that are reliable in size and thickness. They also increased the speed of packing and sealing of products up to 40%, as well as 50% more clients that increased their sales by 20% monthly.
Aside from the financial assistance, DOST Calabarzon also provided Ocean Fresh a new package design, which includes additional technical assistance to enhanced more its manufacture and procedure systems through the Manufacturing Productivity and Extension (MPEX) program of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute.
With increase of production of mussels chips through the equipment, it is anticipated that this would help attain the economic stability of its town. [via pia.gov.ph]