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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

CLSU Secures P7.4M Innovation Grant from DEPDev to Boost Food MSMEs in the Region

Nov. 21, 2025

StratCom | SCO

Central Luzon State University (CLSU) through the College of Home Science and Industry-Department of Food Science and Technology (DFST) received a financial grant from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), amounting to P7,446,200.00, to enhance its capacity to support local food businesses in the region. The funding for the project, "Enhancement of the CLSU Sensory and Consumer Science Laboratory for Accelerated Food Product Development for Central Luzon MSMEs," will be utilized to support at least 70 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in developing and refining new food products, helping them become more competitive in the market. According to Dr. Joel G. Juvinal, current Head of DFST and the designated Project Leader for the grant, one of its objectives is the acquisition of advanced equipment and new tools that will directly support the laboratory's efforts to provide high-level scientific and technical assistance to its partner MSMEs. The project aims to significantly reduce product development failures and increase commercialization success. This will be done by upgrading laboratory facilities and equipment, offering structured sensory and consumer testing services, and building a regional database of consumer insights. “It will serve as a sustainable platform for industry-academe collaboration, empower local food entrepreneurs, and contribute to regional economic development through innovation-driven support for small-scale food enterprises in Central Luzon,” Dr. Juvinal said. Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, University President, extended his sincere gratitude to the DepDev for supporting the university's mission to improve the community and pledged the responsible and efficient use of the grant to ensure the greatest benefit for the region’s food industry. The grant received was one of the 11 new projects approved for funding under the 2025 Innovation Grants by DEPDev, which are designed to strengthen local communities and industries, enhance public service delivery, restore and protect vital ecosystems, and advance safety and resilience.

Related SDGs
  • 1

    Goal 1: No Poverty

  • 2

    Goal 2: Zero Hunger

  • 4

    Goal 4: Quality Education

  • 8

    Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • 11

    Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Economies

  • 12

    Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • 17

    Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals

Other Stories

SRC Team Bags 1st Place Best R&D Paper at NSAARRD; CLSU-based Reg’l Consortium Receives ‘Gold Milestone’ Award

The Small Ruminant Center (SRC) team, led by Director Neal A. Del Rosario clinched First Place, Best R&D Paper Award (Development Category) during the National Symposium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) for their project titled “Let’s Doe Business: Goat Milk–Based Livelihood Opportunity to Mitigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The award was conferred as part of the 53rd Anniversary of the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST–PCAARRD), held today, January 30, at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The award-winning paper highlighted an innovative livelihood intervention implemented during the pandemic, which empowered communities in Nueva Ecija by capacitating goat farmers and their family members in dairy goat production and milk processing. The initiative provided an alternative source of income while promoting food security and community resilience amid the health crisis. The team is composed of Dr. Edgar A. Orden, Assoc. Prof. Leny Lyn M. Del Rosario, Ms. Evadne S. Veluz, Ms. Lara Melissa Navalta, and Dr. Ma. Exelcis M. Orden. Earlier in the day, the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC) was also recognized for attaining the Gold Milestone Award, marking nearly five decades of continuous service under its base agency, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU). Established in 1976, CLAARRDEC is among the pioneering regional consortia that helped lay the foundation of the country’s consortia system particularly for the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) sector. In addition, Ms. Rachelle Liberato, Science Research Analyst and member of the CLAARRDEC Secretariat, was honored for her more than three decades of dedicated service, a testament to her invaluable contributions to the consortium’s sustained success and effective operations. Leading the CLSU–CLAARRDEC delegation was Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, CLSU President and RRDCC Chair, and was joined by Engr. Romeolito G. Tacbian, DOST 3 Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations; Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, CLSU Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension and CLAARRDEC Director; Assoc. Prof. Maria Adrielle S. Estigoy, Presidential Assistant for CLSU Strategic Communication and CLAARRDEC Science Communication Cluster Coordinator; Mr. Florence Dave Asuncion, Presidential Office Staff; and Ms. Ellen Joy S. Brillo, CLAARRDEC Secretariat member. The long-standing partnership between DOST–PCAARRD and CLSU through CLAARRDEC has been instrumental in advancing the growth of the University and its member institutions in AANR. Through sustained technical assistance and resource support, the collaboration continues to strengthen research, innovation, and development initiatives that benefit both the academic community and the countryside. #SievingForExcellence #CLAARRDEC

Feb. 01, 2026

Unit I Reigns Supreme, Defends Championship Crown in the 59th Intramural Games

Rumagasa ang bagsik ng dilaw! After the nerve-wracking games, Unit I- College of Education (CED) remains the undisputed champion, affirming its athletic supremacy during the 59th University Intramurals. In a spectacular display of athleticism and grit, the Golden Fighting Lynx successfully defended their throne, proving once again that Unit I is the "Home of Champions." The competition for the podium was a showcase of high-level athleticism. Unit V-College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) emerged as a formidable challenger, clinching the 2nd place trophy with 71 gold medals, while Unit II-College of Agriculture (CAg) maintained its competitive edge to finish in 3rd place. Here’s the official standing of the different colleges: Champion - Unit I (CEd) 2nd place - Unit V (CASS) 3rd place - Unit II (CAg) 4th place - Unit III (CEn) 5th place - Unit IX CoS) 6th place - Unit IV (CVSM) 7th place - Unit VIII (CHSI) 8th place - Unit VI (CBA) 9th place - Unit VII (CF) The awarding ceremony followed immediately after the final matches, presided over by key university officials, including Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, Vice President for Administration Dr. Ariel G. Mactal, and Head of the Sport Development Office, Assoc. Prof. John A. Agaton, alongside the respective College Deans. Congratulations to all the winners, participants, students, coaches, spectators, and organizers for making the 59th University Intramurals a resounding success.

Jan. 30, 2026

CLSU Receives ₱5M DOST-PCAARRD Grant for Mungbean Impact Research

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through the College of Agriculture (CAg), the Socio-economic Research and Data Analytics Center (SERDAC), and the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA), has been awarded a five-million pesos research grant by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) for the implementation of the project titled “Impact Assessment of the Program on Improving Productivity and Local Utilization of Mungbean.” It will assess the impacts of previous DOST-PCAARRD-funded interventions designed to improve mungbean productivity and enhance its local utilization. Specifically, it will examine changes in farm productivity, the adoption of technologies, market and value chain outcomes, and socio-economic benefits for farmers and other stakeholders. The project also seeks to generate evidence-based insights that can guide future policy directions and program refinements in the mungbean industry. The project, to be led by Dr. Mari Joy M. Buenavista, together with Dr. Rocelyn M. Barroga, Asst. Prof. Maria Celia M. Fernando, Dr. Elizabeth R. Bajit, Asst. Prof. Jairus Jesse Tubal, and Asst. Prof. Roann P. Alberto, as a team member, was approved during the 14th Regular Directors’ Council Meeting of DOST-PCAARRD and will be implemented over a period of 18 months. An inception meeting was successfully conducted on January 23, 2026, in close coordination with the funding agency and the project’s external evaluator. The initiative reinforces CLSU’s mandate to contribute to national agricultural development through rigorous research, impact evaluation, and science-based policy support. It will also further strengthen CLSU’s collaboration with DOST-PCAARRD and underscores the University’s growing role in agricultural research, impact assessment, and national-level development planning. #SievingForExcellence

Jan. 27, 2026

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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines 3120
  • Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
  • op@clsu.edu.ph
  • (044) 940 8785

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