Title: The streamlining of processes and increasing of efficiency and utilization through production line balancing: a technique to increase production and reduce idle time with minimal personnel.

Abstract:

Abstract
One of the challenges that crop growers face is the harvesting of produce in the Philippines at the right quantity at the right time. While their harvest is distributed for sale in different stores for retail, they still end up with numbers of unsold produce which may eventually spoil and turn into waste. In a province near Manila, a learning center entered into a venture/advocacy where unsold produce from a group of growers were processed and turned into preserved dried chips which were supplied to supermarkets and groceries. Through the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Set-Up, food-processing equipment were acquired which addressed the need for adopting technological innovations. Industrial Engineering consultants also came into the picture to assist in the streamlining of processes and increasing of efficiency and utilization through production line balancing: a technique to increase production and reduce idle time with minimal personnel. Training was also administered by the venture which was aimed to increase productivity, reduce variability, increase food safety awareness, and boost the morale of its manpower. As a result of these interventions, production capacity was set to a minimum of 10,000 packs per day which
translates into a revenue amounting to PhP 1.2M (US$24,000) per day. With this venture, produce that are about to turn into waste can be turned into something that can generate additional income which eventually uplift the lives of the farmers despite of the COVID19 pandemic.

Biography:

Dhon G. Dungca graduated from De La Salle University-Manila with the degree Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1998. He finished his Master of Engineering major in IE degree at Holy Angel University in 2005. He was a former IE Professor at the Holy Angel University College of Engineering & Architecture,  and a former Graduate School Professor in the Graduate School of Business. His expertise includes Project/Construction Management, ISO Certification, Business Process Reengineering, and Research. Currently, he is a Project Development Officer at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Manila, and currently a Lead Consultant of the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Engr. Dungca is a Professional Industrial Engineer.