The Professional Regulatory Board of Food Technology visited Tarlac State University Lucinda Campus on Tuesday afternoon (January 9) for an onsite inspection and monitoring of the BS Food Technology program and its facilities.
PRB-FT Chairperson Dr. Anthony Sales led the inspection, along with PRB-FT member Dr. Remedios Baclig and PRC Region III Senior Officer Dr. Mailyn Ugali.
They visited the laboratories and facilities of the program and the Center for Food Technology and Research, reviewed documents, and conducted interviews and cross-validation with the university's BSFT teaching workforce headed by program chairperson Ms. Mary Katherine Apolonio and College of Science Dean Prof. Mary Jane Rigor.
Dr. Sales said they aim to discuss the possible interventions for any gaps, particularly on the university's performance in the recent Food Technologists Licensure Examination and the findings from the March 2022 blended inspection.
"We want to ensure that our HEIs offering food technology comply not only with the requirements of the issuance of the COPC (from CHED) but also with the requirements in the practice of food technology within the university," Dr. Sales said.
"You have food technology professionals working here, and, therefore, we want to ensure that the provisions [we are practicing] are compliant with the professional, technical, ethical, statutory, and regulatory requirements for the practice of the profession," he added.
Dr. Baclig and Dr. Sales, both professional food technologists, suggested to Ms. Apolonio and CFTR Director Dr. Leah Matias to consider room temperatures, proper tables, extra refrigerators, appropriate metal tables, and other laboratory equipment.
In the exit conference, the food technology experts also raised several points to TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco and Office of Quality Assurance Director Dr. Niño B. Corpuz that need administrative action.
"We will make sure that the thorough assessment that will be given to us will give us insightful information about how we operate and will surely help with our continued efforts to uphold high standards and compliance," Pres. Velasco said during the opening program.
"Moreover, the findings and recommendations will serve as an essential guide to address any identified deficiencies or areas for improvement pursuant to the Professional Regulatory Board of Food Technology," he added.
Among the recommendations that require the administration's support is the fulfillment of permanent plantilla for full-time faculty members with the required qualifications.
The PRB-FT is scheduled to visit the university in January 2025 for another monitoring or re-inspection.
Last March 30, 2022, TSU received its certificate of compliance for the BSFT program from the Professional Regulation Commission after a hybrid inspection and monitoring.
Meanwhile, BSFT attached faculty members Dr. Lea Milan, Dr. Leah Matias, and Prof. Aljon Lusong were granted the PFT license last month without taking the boards per section 20 of Republic Act 11052 or the Philippine Food Technology Act, where qualified applicants with bachelor's degrees in food technology or other allied programs and have been practicing the profession for at least five years will be given such privilege. (jlmm-OPA)
