ILOILO City – Among the most important issues discussed in a recent agri-aqua forum here was the viability of making exportable products in Iloilo.
Attendees and experts discussed if local producers can turn Iloilo and the rest of Region 6 into an exporting powerhouse.
But Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provincial director Sheila Oberio and Science Research Specialist Gelonga Ma. Lina believe that this is not yet possible.
According to them, local products are not yet up suitable for export, partly due to the absence of the necessary technology.
Local producers are unable to meet the necessary standards that would allow them to export their products, they added.
Lina cited as an example the locally-made calamansi juice. According to her, the bottles used for this product are not pasteurized to maintain the freshness of the juice. They are simply put into water bottles then released to the market.
“First, ang una nila nga processing method indi correct. Dapat fresh juices na pasteurize,” Lina said.
Lina also added that these water bottles are too thin to keep their contents from spoiling.
To compare, she said most beverages found at malls and convenience stores are placed inside thick bottles to keep them from spoiling.
“Kung gusto mo nga correct ang imo nga processing, plus correct ang imo packaging material, definitely your product will last forever. So ang ina mga ga-libud na mga product, sa water bottles lang, kay indi man sila ka afford,” Lina said.
In a broader sense, Both Lina and Oberio explained that the biggest barrier to Iloilo’s export potential are product standards.
Local producers do not have the means to meet local and overseas standards with regards to exports.
“Kada importing country may ara iya nga standard. Kung sa diin ka man, you need to comply with [the] requirements of those importing countries,” Lina said. “Pwede gid ya any product ma-export.”
Oberia added: “For every product, different technology. Kag ang technology nga gina-usar mo depende man sa standards sang imo nga importing country. And there are products that are exported pero gina-collect sang consolidators.”
Consolidators are specialists who “consolidate” different types of products into a single package for export.
When aksed if Iloilo has the means to procure the necessary technology to make local products
exportable, Lina answered that there are local producers who are not yet ready.
“Sa Iloilo, indi siguro. Indi tanan,” Lina answered, adding that local entrepreneurs have a long way to go before they can turn Iloilo into an export hub./PN
