The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) officially signed a one-year Limited License to Commercialize Agreement with the Pinamuk-an Aquatic Products Producers Association (PAPPA) on June 29, 2026, marking another milestone in the University’s technology transfer and commercialization efforts.
The agreement grants PAPPA the right to commercially operate the UPV-developed Depuration Technology for bivalve shellfish while the association prepares its business registration and fulfills the requirements for a full technology licensing agreement under Republic Act No. 10055, or the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009. PAPPA is currently a duly registered association with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Representing UPV during the ceremonial signing were Prof. Reynold D. Tan, Acting Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development and Director of the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO), and Ms. Rose T. Mueda, the technology generator. Representing PAPPA were its President, Mr. Jolyn G. Patricio, and Vice President Mr. Juandro Roga. The signing ceremony was witnessed by members of the UPV TTBDO staff, PAPPA and interns from the Romblon State University.
The Depuration Technology was developed by Ms. Rose T. Mueda of the Institute of Fish Processing Technology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas. The technology resulted from the “Depuration and Relaying Techniques for Philippine Green Mussel (Perna viridis)” research projects implemented from 2014 to 2018 with funding support from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). The research aimed to improve shellfish safety and strengthen the competitiveness of the Philippine mussel industry.
The technology is protected by Philippine Patent No. PH/1/2018/050164, titled “A Process to Reduce or Eliminate Bacteria in Live Bivalve Mollusk,” filed on April 6, 2018.
PAPPA serves as the industry partner and beneficiary of the technology transfer initiative under the UPV–BFAR National Fisheries Development Center (BFAR-NFDC) Shellfish Aquaculture for Rural Advancement and Progress (SARAP) Program through the project, “Enhancing Bivalve Shellfish Depuration and Primary Processing: Capacity Development for Region VI,” led by Ms. Mueda.
Under the agreement, PAPPA remains the only organization licensed to commercially operate the UPV-developed Depuration Technology. The association also produces depurated oysters processed using the UPV-developed system, which has been validated by the University as safe and effective in reducing bacterial contamination.
UPV emphasized, however, that depuration is intended solely to reduce or eliminate bacterial contaminants in live bivalve mollusks. The process has not been proven to remove or neutralize harmful algal toxins responsible for red tide events, and therefore should not be considered a mitigation measure against red tide contamination.
The licensing agreement highlights UPV’s continuing commitment to translating publicly funded research into technologies that benefit local communities, strengthen fisheries enterprises, and promote safer seafood production through responsible technology commercialization.
Written by Ms. Ferelyn F. Oliva, UPV TTBDO IP Officer
Photos by Alven Polido, IPO
#UniversityofthePhilippinesVisayas
