Tarlac State University marked the completion of its two-year "Chicharon Camiling Project" with a culminating activity on April 28, 2023 at the municipal hall of Camiling town.
The said project, titled "Standardization of Process, Product Specification, and Packaging of Artisanal Chicharon Camiling of Tarlac," aims to come up with the minimum recommended guidelines in the production of the artisanal Chicharon Camiling that serves as a reference in sustaining the livelihood of the community while addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on eliminating hunger, ensuring economic growth, and having sustainable communities.
Its primary beneficiaries are the Chicharon Camiling food business operators and processors in Camiling, Tarlac.
During the culminating activity, Office of the University Extension Services (OUES) Director Dr. Lea B. Milan presented the project outputs, such as the food testing result, standardized processes, and procedures. Dr. Milan, as the former Center for Food Technology and Research (CFTR) director, led the Chicharon Camiling project.
CFTR Production Services Unit Head Engr. Dick S. Tuazon also discussed the proposed standardized chicharon production layout that will be adopted by the project beneficiaries and will serve as the basis for future funding projects of DOST PSTO and the local government of Camiling.
Moreover, OUES Unit Head Mr. Aljon N. Lusong, CFTR Research and Development Unit Head Ms. Abegail Feliciano, and CFTR science research analyst Mr. Joshua Bon Ibarra conducted an orientation before the program proper. The orientation tackled the following: (1) Chicharon Camiling production documentation and recording of process, (2) recommended production layout compliant with food safety for adoption, (3) food analyses results, (4) standardized procedure and recommended packaging for pork chicharon, (5) preliminary output of the Chicharon – Philippines National Standard (PNS), and (6) vacuum packaging of Chicharon Camiling.
In his closing remarks, Vice President for Research Development and Extension Dr. Murphy P. Mohammed emphasized the project's benefit to the recipients as to productivity and livelihood. He encouraged the beneficiaries to continue sharing the knowledge they gained from the Chicharon Camiling project through the LGU's support.
The activity was graced by Camiling town mayor Hon. Erlon C. Agustin, Department of Science and Technology-Provincial Science and Technology Office Director Ms. Karen Y. Danes, DOST PSTC Tarlac Head Ms. Dhina T. Cañero, and the project beneficiaries.
This collaborative project was funded through the DOST Regional Office III Grants-In-Aid (GIA) program and spearheaded by the CFTR in collaboration with the College of Science's (COS) Food Technology and Chemistry departments.
Under the leadership of Dr. Milan, the Chicharon Camiling project commenced with a memorandum of agreement signed in 2021 between TSU, DOST-PSTC Tarlac, and LGU Camiling.
The project ran from July 2021 to April 2023. (jlmm/OPA)
Photos from Center for Food Technology and Research
