Earlier today, the CNU team conducted an ocular inspection at the site in Barangay Sta. Filomena, Alegria, where the new Cinnamon Processing Facility will soon be established. This project, born from CNU’s innovative proposal, aims to elevate Cebu’s cinnamon sector. The proposal secured a 4.9 million innovation grant in August of last year from the National Innovation Council-Executive Technical Board (NIC-ETC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The primary goal of the project is to establish a state-of-the-art cinnamon processing plant, which will open up new opportunities for cinnamon producers in Cebu. The cinnamon, also locally known as “mana”, is said to be abundant in Alegria, as well as in neighboring towns such as Boljoon. The facility will enhance product quality and offer training programs and workshops to locals, promoting community engagement, livelihood opportunities, and sustainability.
The inspection team was led by Dr. Jay Picardal, Director of the Research Institute of Tropical Biology and Pharmacological Biotechnology (RITBPB), and the former Director of the Institute for Research in Innovative Instructional Delivery (IRIID), Dr. Genara Pacaña. They were accompanied by Planning Officer III Ar. Jodl-Job Dabon, Planning Officer II Engr. Cairns Regasajo, and personnel from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). The site, generously donated by the town to CNU, was reviewed in preparation for the facility’s construction.
Following this inspection, the bidding process for the project will commence. This facility represents the first phase of CNU’s broader initiatives in Alegria, which also include plans for the CNU Alegria Campus. These efforts are part of SUC President Dr. Daniel Ariaso’s vision to transform CNU into a GREAT-SMART Campus, marking a significant step towards economic progress and sustainable development in the region.