Vacuum packaging machine

Quality packaging has just become the latest opportunity to Romblon-based food businesses with the opening of the Toll Packaging Center at the Department of Science and Technology office in Tabing Dagat, Odiongan.  

The Center will assist start-up micro-entrepreneurs by providing packaging services such as label designing and short-run printing, product packaging and sealing services.

Equipped with hand and foot operated impulse sealers, band sealer, induction sealer, vacuum packaging machine and digital weighing scales, the Center will serve as the start-ups’ one-stop-shop to quality packaging that will add value to their products.

Also available at the Center are consumable packaging materials.  

Clients who wish to avail of product label designs can visit the center, submit a sample of their product and accomplish a form that includes product information and letter of request. The DOST-MIMAROPA’s in-house artist will prepare design concepts to be reviewed and approved by clients.

DOST-MIMAROPA prides itself with its successful packaging and labelling project.  One success story of its packaging program is Oriental Mindoro-based Merl’s Suman sa Lihiya, now a household name with market presence in Metro Manila’s malls.  The firm, which uses eight cavans of malagkit rice daily for its product and employs 50 people in its suman business, is currently negotiating for an export market.  

Rejano’s Bakery in Marinduque  that produces uraro (arrowroot) cookies also has market presence in Metro Manila malls due largely to its attractive packaging and labelling through DOST-MIMAROPA’s assistance.  

Romblon’s very own Lilec’s Bibingkang Kanin is another hopeful company that is weaving its own success story.  From selling an average of two bibingkang kanin wrapped in old cardboard boxes per day, the firm now sells an average of 16 to 20, and even goes as high as 80 boxes on special occasions with its new packaging.  The bibingkang kanin is now packed in nicely printed boxes with the firm’s name proudly emblazoned in the front.  The current sales performance of the firm proves that packaging indeed is a boon for start-up micro-entrepreneurs.

In her opening remarks during the Center’s opening, DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director Ma. Josefina P. Abilay stressed the importance of packaging and labelling for MIMAROPA products to have a competitive advantage and gain market acceptance. With Odiongan Vice Mayor Roger Fodra, Corcuera Mayor Rachel Banares, Romblon Mayor Gerard Montojo, Romblon State University President Arnulfo De Luna and other well-wishers, Abilay opened the center early this year. She likewise distributed packaging equipment and supplies to the local government units of Romblon and Magdiwang to serve clients in Romblon and Sibuyan islands. (S&T Media Service)

 Digital weighing scale

Induction sealer