President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing for stronger collaboration between state researchers and private enterprise to transform lab-developed research into mass-produced nutritional food products.
Speaking after an inspection of the Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation (NFMC) facility on Thursday, Marcos highlighted the need to bridge the gap between initial research and commercial distribution.
The local firm expanded its operations by adopting food technologies created by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) with assistance from the DOST Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
“The government is the one doing the R&D. Pati na ‘yung scaling para ‘yung nagawa sa laboratoryo ay puwede nang gawin in mass manufacturing,” President Marcos told reporters.
Through the SETUP initiative, the government provides equipment and technical assistance to help local businesses scale up production.
NFMC utilizes these research-backed formulas to manufacture nutrient-fortified foods, which are supplied to government feeding programs managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and public schools for pregnant women and young children.
Marcos pointed to NFMC’s growth as a successful model for public-private synergy. Since 2013, the enterprise has increased its annual output from two million to 10 million units, while expanding its workforce from seven to over 300 employees.
He added that the business model also creates a direct market for local agricultural producers.
“Hindi lang isang factory, hindi lang isang laboratory, kung hindi isang buong sistema ang ating binubuo para patuloy ang maganda ang magiging production at sa ganung paraan ay natutulungan nga natin ang ating mga kabataan na kumain ng tama at masustansya na pagkain,” he said.
“So, this is the kind of operation that we will continue to do, hindi lamang dito naman sa Pangasinan,” the President added.
The administration plans to replicate this collaborative framework nationwide to boost local manufacturing, support Filipino farmers, and widen public access to affordable, nutritious food.