COVID-19 Update at DOST-ITDI
Corona virus disease or COVID-19, now pandemic in magnitude is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus; as of March 29, 2020, 4:00 PM PST, the Philippines has 1,418 confirmed cases, 71 deaths, and 42 recoveries.
At a time when most of us are staying at home for safety due to COVID-19, a team from DOST-ITDI’s (Industrial Technology Development Institute) Packaging Technology Division (PTD) braved the streets and their safety last March 26, 2020 and delivered relief foods we call “Pack of Hope” which means that in every pack is a hope to address hunger.
The DOST-ITDI team of modern day heroes include Carinna Saldaña, Jolan Ferrer, Roger Talamor, Ricky Baaco and Larry Adriano; and their counterparts, Harold Amario, Mary Joy Paico, Marife Balatico and 5 ITDI janitors.
Some 20,010 pouches of ready- to- eat (RTE) foods were distributed by DOST-ITDI to cities in Manila and Davao on March 26, 2020 as the country continued to fight off COVID-19.
Five Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices in Taguig, Pasig, Manila, San Juan, and Quezon City augmented their community food supply with 3,000 pouches each of RTE Chicken Arroz Caldo; while Davao City received 5,010 pouches (RTE chicken arroz caldo and smoked fish rice meal).
DOST-ITDI technology adopter, Kai Anya produced the RTE arroz caldo. True enough, through R&D (research and development), we can serve our people, save lives, and make a difference.
The food relief is part of a list of support pledged by the Science Department’s Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña a week after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte placed the entire Luzon island under enhanced community quarantine.
Developed primarily as relief food for disaster victims, PTD's RTE foods may be used as an alternative food choice to relieve hunger pangs. While some chicken soups rely on vegetables and chicken for texture, ITDI's RTE Chicken Arroz Caldo is a rice-thickened chicken soup spiced up with garlic, onion, and ginger.
It is a no-cook, no-drinkables, no preservative chicken meal that can be stored in homes or stores for a year. For those desiring hot soup, its stand-up packaging allows it to be directly heated in boiling water.
Meanwhile, ITDI Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones has offered use of its Food Innovation Center-Main located at the DOST Complex in Bicutan, Taguig City to interested small-scale food processors whose processing operations are affected by the enhanced community quarantine.
Interested parties may avail themselves of free use of a vacuum fryer, spray dryer, water retort, and freeze dryer.
As well, Director Briones has made available through the ITDI web portal ‘How To’ learning materials on hand sanitizer and processed foods. Please visit our Facebook page, DOST ITDI Updates and Youtube channel or Email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(AMGuevarra\\ ITDI S&T Media Service)
