By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares

Sample products of the ResQ Meals, developed by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) are shown during the Handa Pilipinas Visayas Leg in Palo, Leyte. (Photo by Patrick James Lee C. Alfonso, DOST-STII)

The country faces hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and landslides year in and year out. In fact, from 2022 to 2025, the Philippines ranked first in the World Risk Index, making it the world’s most at-risk country for disasters.

These events can disrupt food supply chains and limit access to quality, nutritious food, affecting Filipinos’ overall nutritional needs, especially those in vulnerable sectors.

And during calamities, survival is prioritized over nutritional needs.

However, beyond evacuation plans, early warnings, and emergency responses, access to nutritious food—often overlooked— should also be part of disaster preparedness, according to an expert from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).

Recognizing the importance of proper nutrition in disaster response, DOST brought food science and technology to HANDA Pilipinas 2026 Visayas Leg in Palo, Leyte. These food technologies aim to address the nutritional needs of disaster affected communities by providing food options designed for emergencies.

“Mahalagang i-consider natin ‘yung nutrisyon. Kasi sa paghahanda, dapat meron tayong sapat na enerhiya para tugunan ‘yung mga sitwasyong tulad niyan. So, dahil mas kinakailangan natin ng sapat na enerhiya, dapat ang mga pagkain natin ay nasa tamang energy requirement,” Supervising Science Research Specialist Jaypy S. De Juan said in an interview.

(It is important to consider nutrition. When preparing, we need sufficient energy to handle situations like these; therefore, since we require adequate energy, our food intake should meet the appropriate energy requirement.)

De Juan is the head of the Technology Transfer and Commercialization section of DOST-FNRI.

According to De Juan, disaster food products should follow the “Pinggang Pinoy” concept, incorporating go, grow, and glow foods to ensure balanced nutrition.

To address this need, DOST-FNRI developed protein- and energy-rich foods, as well as essential micronutrients that help meet the body’s nutritional requirements during emergencies.

One food technology they featured in the HANDA exhibit is the Ready for Everyday and Emergency Situations-Quality Meal (ResQ Meals). It contains four ready-to-eat and shelf-stable products:

●      Champro+ – a high-protein chocolate porridge made from rice, cocoa, dairy and plant-based protein. It contains 14 grams of protein and 9 grams of dietary fiber for every 250-gram pack.

●      Enerbisc – a milk biscuit developed with children’s nutritional needs in mind. It provides at least 360 kcal per 80 grams serving.

●      KAIN Na!- a low-sodium ready-to-eat pouch meal containing rice, chicken and mixed vegetables.

●      Nameaaat – a ready-to-eat chicken and sweet potato meal with reduced-sodium soy-based sauce designed for convenient disaster relief.

The DOST-FNRI is currently seeking partners such as food manufacturers, food industry players, and investors who can meet the requirements to make these products commercially available.

“We have already received a few letters of intent, and they are currently being processed. Hopefully by the first or second quarter of 2027 our ResQ Meals will be commercially ready,” De Juan said.

The HANDA Pilipinas is an annual initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that aims to raise public awareness and promote the adoption and utilization of DOST-developed, supported, and funded science, technology, and innovation (STI) solutions for disaster risk reduction and management. It is also one of the programs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. (PR)