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Ms. Lucille A. Dalida (Left) and Mr. Eugenio N. Dalida Jr. (Right), owners of Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing, showcase the diverse product line as DOST SETUP 4.0 iFund beneficiaries.

Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing is a growing business in the province of Capiz known for its innovative seafood products.

Starting as a small business producing bottled gourmet tuyo (dried fish) and bagoong (shrimp paste), Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing faced tough challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the firm expanded its operations with its first Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program 4.0 Innovation-Enabling Fund (SETUP 4.0 iFund) project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and DOST consultancy services in 2021.

DOST VI aided the improvisation of Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing production methods, ensured food safety, enhanced packaging, and increased productivity. The firm later added new products including vacuum-packed dried fish and gourmet tuyo and bagoong in retort pouches, all of which are designed for easier transport, especially for air travel. These upgrades allowed the firm to enter larger markets, including exports to Asia, Europe, and the United States of America (USA).

Recently, Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing secured approval for the Phase II of its SETUP 4.0 iFund project titled “Process, System, and Product Quality Improvement of Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing”, amounting to P2.2 million, is a major step for the company, which has steadily grown since it started in 2019 and first availed of the iFund project in 2021.

(Top) A worker of Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing packages dried fish using the vacuum sealer procured under the first SETUP 4.0 iFund project.
(Bottom) Mr. Dalida (right) checks the quality of the finished products.

With Phase II of the iFund project, Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing plans to improve its operations further. They aim to adopt new packaging technologies to enhance product quality and reduce the risk of contamination, acquire appropriate cold storage facilities to accommodate high market demands, and ensure regulatory compliance through product registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

By improving its process, system, and product quality, Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing will be able to increase production volume, reduce risk of spoilage, and ensure food safety. This will allow them to expand their customer base both locally and internationally.

Lorna’s Processed Food Manufacturing’s journey shows how science and technology can drive a small business forward. As they enter this new phase, their progress highlights how smart upgrades can lead to growth and new opportunities. (VBDelaPeña/DOST Capiz)

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