The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology CALABARZON (DOST-CALABARZON) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), trained representatives of its nine enterprise proponent groups on food processing. 

This will enable the groups to further improve their processing operations and the quality of their food products toward their enterprises’ sustainability and further growth. This is also to prepare the groups to apply for the following licenses issued by the FDA: License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration.

“Bukod sa production, kailangan ding isaalang-alang ang safety ng producer and consumers to promote food security. Kailangang maganda rin ang porma ng samahan para maayos na ma-implement o maipatupad ang Good Agricultural Practices and current Good Manufacturing Practices (Aside from production, it is also important to consider the safety of our producers and consumers when it comes to promoting food security. It is also vital that our organizations are well-managed and performing well for them to effectively practice Good Agricultural Practices and current Good Manufacturing Practices),” DA Regional Field Office CALABARZON and DA-PRDP Project Support Office South Luzon Director Milo delos Reyes shared.

The proponent groups that participated were: Aga Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (coffee), Magsasakang Tanaueño Agricultural Marketing Cooperative (mango puree), Tanauan Organic Natural Farming Association (banana chips), and Samahan ng Maggagatas ng Batangas Dairy Cooperative (processed milk) from Batangas, Quezon Federation and Union of Cooperatives (VCO), Guinayangan Coffee Agri-farmers, Processors, and Entrepreneurs Agriculture Cooperative (coffee), Cacao Growers’ Association of Lopez (tablea), and the Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Barangay Nieva (processed pineapple) from Quezon, and the Luisiana Cacao Grower Producers Cooperative (tablea) from Laguna. #

Participating proponent groups follow the advice of the DOST-CALABARZON on proper handwashing. Their hands were inspected for remaining germs afterwards. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Proponent groups from Tanauan, Batangas team up on a workshop on how food can be contaminated during food prerparation. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Members of the Samahan ng mga Maggagatas ng Batangas Dairy Cooperative present the direction they will take for their enterprise in dairy products processing to ensure its sustainability and further development. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Proponent groups learn from the FDA about the dos and don’ts in working inside the food processing facility. The FDA advised the groups that following these is crucial to get a license to operate. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DA-4A and DA-PRDP PSO South Luzon Director Milo delos Reyes explained why food safety is as important as food sufficiency when it comes to promoting food security in the country. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DOST-CALABARZON asks a member of the Samahan ng Maggagatas ng Batangas Dairy Cooperative how they practice food safety in their dairy processing facility. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)