Cheers From Batanes: The First Locally Brewed Ivantan Beer Made From Sweet Potato
Locally brewed Ivatan Beer made from the sweet potato is now available for mass production in Batanes.
In 2018, Batanes State of College (BSC) received a Php 400,000 fund from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to develop the beverage. The year after, their finished product made its public debut during the Science and Technology Caravan in Batanes. The product won third place in the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit in the same year.
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Dr. Alfonso Simon, the president of Batanes State College, said in an interview that the technology behind the Ivatan beer using sweet potato was developed through the research and development of BSC and transferred to local entrepreneurs.
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With BSC through Dr. Simon and trader Dennis Lim of Tawsen Agri-Ventures made an agreement and signed the Technology Licensing Agreement (TLA) of the said beverage.
“The fact that the Ivatan Beer is made from the locally-grown ‘wakay‘ or sweet potato, which is abundant in the province of Batanes, the product becomes even more interesting and appealing to the locals of Batanes,” Dr. Simon told the Philippine News Agency.
While Lim, a former college instructor turned entrepreneur, expressed his hope that Ivatan Beer’s commercialization will “immensely contribute to the flourishing Batanes’ tourism industry.”
The Department of Science and Technology-Cagayan Valley through Regional Director Sancho Mabborang has issued the Fairness Opinion Report (FOR) on the licensing agreement’s terms and conditions.
In September 2020, Tawsen Agri Ventures and BSC signed the term sheet of the licensor and the licensee to agree on the conditions to push through with Ivatan Beer’s commercialization.
Source: Philippine News Agency
Written by Cedie Salido
