Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
(044) 4560-213, od@philmech.gov.ph

NEWS STORIES

`Tilanggit` processor eyes export market
by Priscilla C. Castillo (December 30, 2010)
A private firm engaged in fish processing is eyeing the export market for their dried tilapia known as tilanggit (tilapiang danggit).

Victor and Susan Mendoza of Keno Foods Inc. in Bustos, Bulacan are processing tilanggit labeled as `tilapia crunch` using the multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer (MCSTD) of PHilMech.

The MCSTD is an alternative to traditional sun drying practices of small-scale processors. Sun drying reduces the product quality due to dust, flies and microorganisms contaminating the commodities being dried.

The technology is using a UV stabilized polyethylene plastic sheets as cover of the heat collector and drying chamber to prevent the entry of flies and dust.

Mendoza said the samples of tilapia crunch were sent to Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and received positive feedback.

His interest on the technology started when he read the article on the Kababaihang Masigla ng Nueva Ecija (KMNE) based in Ilog Baliuag. The KMNE is one of the early adopters of MCSTD.

Thus, in 2006 he visited PHilMech and inquired about the availability of the technology. Through his personal initiative, a non-functional MCSTD in Damortis, La Union was repaired and transferred to him.

Mendoza acquired additional two units of MCSTD to accommodate the increasing demand of `tilapia crunch` in the market.

Today, about 200 kilograms of young tilapia are processed everyday. According to him, he will get seven more units of MCSTD once he entered the export market.

Clothed with values of social responsibility, Mendoza applied for the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) financing. He was granted P14M interest-free loan for the construction of a state-of-the art processing plant.

As part of its quality control, the processing at the Keno Foods Inc. is done at night and drying will follow the next day.

The enterprise generated employment in the community. At present, there were 18 persons involved the processing of tilapia crunch. These workers have attended a seminar on Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP) as requirement for HACCP certification.