Baguio City — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 02 further strengthened its efforts in promoting science-based solutions for nutrition and technology transfer through commercialization through the formal signing of three Technology Licensing Agreements (TLAs) during the Ceremonial TLA Signing at the 2025 North Luzon Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit, held at the Newtown Plaza Convention Center.
The event was organized under the TECHGROW platform of the DOST to accelerate the transfer and commercialization of government-developed technologies to local industry players.
Representing Region 02, JBM Food Products, led by its owner Mr. Jose B. Morante, officially entered into a licensing agreement with the DOST–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) for three nutrition technologies, namely: Iodine-Rich Drinking Water, Brown Rice Nutty Fruity Bar, and Iron-Fortified Rice. These technologies underwent Fairness Opinion Board evaluation through DOST-02.
Signing on behalf of DOST-FNRI was Mr. Jaypy S. de Juan, Senior Science Research Specialist. The partnership aims to bring these science-based products to market through local production—addressing nutritional gaps and contributing to food security in the region.
Alongside Region 02, other participating regions also signed licensing agreements during the summit. Region 1 licensed Iron-Fortified Rice to Bantog Samahan Nayon Multipurpose Cooperative, while Region 3 licensed Hybrid Rice Varieties (Mestiso 125, 126, 127, and 128) to Tao Foods Company Inc., with Central Luzon State University–Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (CLSU-PhilSCAT) as the licensor.
These agreements underscore the importance of technology transfer and commercialization in fostering inclusive development and enhancing the value of government-funded research and development (R&D).
The DOST’s TECHGROW initiative continues to support local enterprises in transforming research outputs into tangible products and services, driving innovation-led progress across the regions.
Following the TLA signing, the event was succeeded by “Kapihan sa Baguio,” where DOST Region 02 Regional Director Dr. Virginia G. Bilgera highlighted JBM Food Products as one of the region’s successful beneficiaries of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). She proudly shared how the firm has remained actively engaged with DOST, receiving various forms of support and interventions that contributed to its growth and its readiness to commercialize government-developed technologies.
