The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016
Going for quality food products: A must for producers, consumers EL SALVADOR CITY, Misamis Oriental – Realizing the importance of safe, palatable and nutritious food available for human consumption, the Agricultural Training InstituteRegional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) conducted a training on “Quality and Safety Management for Food Products,” November 16-18, 2016.
Attended by 25 selected Rural Improvement Club (RIC) members coming from the different parts of northern Mindanao, the training was intended to empower the participants and be informed about the common issues among producers (and consumers alike) which is the maintenance and improvement of fresh farm produce that is safe to consume from farmer’s field into the consumer’s dining table. “I am hurling a challenge that you as a group should not solely focus on production but also focus on processing. Processing is the name of the game nowadays along with value-adding. We want to see you as successful entrepreneurs. That is why we do not want you to only limit yourselves in setting up small businesses. We want you to aspire for something big and grand...but feasible,” Training Center Superintendent Angelito Y. Quirog said in his opening statement. Fresh fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products are often thought of as healthful, nutritious foods having no risk of food-borne illness associated with their consumption. However, some food-borne illness outbreaks have caused growers, shippers, distributors, retailers, and importers to re-evaluate fresh meat, fruits and vegetable production and handling practices. With the expertise of Food Science & Technology Department Chairman Phoebe L. Galeon, also president of the Northern Mindanao Food Safety
Team (NMFST) along with Vilma P. Zacal of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (formerly Mindanao University of Science and Technology), the dynamic duo of food tech guru delivered a presentation on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and other standard quality control measure that should be followed to prevent food contamination. “Though a food product will cost you more or force you to spend a little extra than the usual, always settle for quality,” Phoebe L. Galeon said during her presentation. Meanwhile, HACCP performs a detailed analysis of the whole production system to identify physical, chemical and biological hazards and those points where prevention and control measures should be applied to minimize or reduce risks to acceptable levels. The steps taken to minimize risks should be properly registered and kept as a proof of action adopted. For her part, Project Officer Cristine A. Galupo said that the training participants are expected to create a simple SSOP and GMP Plan at the end of the 3-day training. Most of the selected RIC member participants were already involved in food processing and with existing food products. (Vic Thor Palarca with reports from Ms. Cristine A. Galupo, DMO-I)
Hundreds benefit from army, local govt ‘Hatud Serbisyo’ mission SUMILAO, Bukidnon – More than 300 residents from remote San Vicente village in Sumilao town benefited from the recent joint “Hatud Serbisyo” mission of the army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (8IB, 4ID) and local government unit (LGU) of Sumilao, Bukidnon. With the theme “Serbisyuhan ang katawhan ug panalipdan ang yutang natawhan (Serve the people, protect and defend homeland),” the ‘Hatud Serbisyo’ activity was organized by Sumilao LGU led by Mayor Jose Antonio “Sanny” Villo with the army’s full support as part of the unit’s advocacy in upholding peace and development. The team composed of soldiers from the 1364th Dental Detachment of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division medical and dental services, free haircut and other community services. Likewise, with the army’s assistance, Sumilao LGU employees
and workers also conducted medical consultation, bloodletting, porridgefeeding, animal vaccination and land registration services. Col. Antonio I. Baustista, 8IB commanding officer, said the army’s participation in the mission is part of the soldiers’ mandate on Internal Peace and Security Plan or IPSP “Bayanihan,” which is the government’s counterinsurgency program that aims to strengthen relationship with stakeholders to give way for progress and development in order to achieve just and lasting peace. (Erwin P. Bugarin, CMO, 8IB, 4ID, PA/RLRB, PIA10-Bukidnon)
Creation of City Housing Department mulled CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The City Council is planning to create a separate Housing Department to primarily address the housing problem of informal settlers in Cagayan de Oro city.
The proposal to create the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD) was discussed during the joint meeting last week of the committees on urban and rural poor and housing development and on finance, budget and appropriations chaired by Councilors Zaldy O. Ocon and Edna M. Dahino, respectively. The proposed Housing Department will directly absorb the functions and existing plantilla positions of the existing Estate
Management Division-City Planning and Development Office (EMDCPDO). The creation of the said department is envisioned to foster people’s participation in the urban development process by encouraging the public especially informal settlers to engage in housing and resettlement concerns. It also aims to provide informal settlers the assurance of security of land tenure through socialized housing. (JAO/SP)