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SAN JUAN, Ilocos Sur, Aug. 28 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Ilocos Sur conducted a demo-operation and training on the use of de-oiling machine for production workers of the Malakas Farm Livelihood Development Enterprises at Sitio Malakas, Muraya village here on August 24.   Laurine Sales of DOST-Ilocos Sur said the training is part of the intervention under the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), which intends to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to address their technical problems and improve their productivity and efficiency.   The machine is part of the P220,000.00 assistance awarded  by DOST last June 4, 2021 procured with stainless-steel deep sink, preparation table with undershelf, breading table with undershelf, packaging table with undershelf, stainless and steel deep fryer.   Mr. Arthur Aubrey Alviar, Science Research Specialist II from DOST-Ilocos Sur, served as the resource person during the activity.   Mr. Robert Viloria, owner of the firm, together with his wife, Mrs. Jessie Viloria, expressed their gratitude to the agency for assisting and providing their technological needs that will improve their mushroom chicharon products.   Through these interventions, the firm is expected to increase productivity as well as practice good manufacturing practices in the preparation of their products.   Aside from assistance to MSMEs, the DOST also conducts free calibration services.   A free calibration caravan was held at the Eugenio Rabara Building in Sta. Catalina town last August 20 in response to the request of the local government unit (LGU) to standardize and ensure accurate measurement of weighing scales used in the market.   Also, it aims to ensure accuracy of data collected by the nutrition officers in monitoring the weight of children in the locality.   Sales said a total of 118 weighing scales were calibrated during the caravan including platform balances, hanging weighing scales, and countertop weighing scales used by market vendors.   Moreover, the agency trained 11 personnel from the LGU on calibration of weighing scales.   They were capacitated on the basic knowledge and skills on measurements and calibration of weighing scales and other platforms.   Mr. Alviar, who served as the resource person during  the training, highlighted the importance of calibration and its impact on public health and safety, fair market trade, and consumer protection.   Engr. John Pilot, municipal civil registrar, expressed his gratitude to DOST for extending the free calibration services and hoped that there will be no more conflict between vendors and consumers.   Further, the DOST conducted a Food Safety and Food and Drug Administration License to Operate (FDA LTO) seminar for 18 MSMEs in Suyo town last August 26.   The seminar was aimed at updating the owners, managers/supervisors, and workers or food handlers with the basic knowledge on current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) with emphasis on food safety and providing guidelines in securing an FDA LTO.   In his message, Mayor Mario Subagan highlighted the importance of the seminar which is timely to the proposed economic zone of the municipality from which food establishments are expected to rise.    Dr. Gloria Tuzon, vice-president for Planning, Information, Research and Extension of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), served as the one of the resource speakers who tackled the cGMP with emphasis on food safety.   She also emphasized the importance of food safety especially in this time of pandemic as quality products start with quality raw materials, and that ‘hindi pwede ang pwede na’ when it comes to quality.    Meanwhile, Mr. Alviar talked about FDA LTO including licensing requirements for food establishment, process flow in applying FDA LTO, the Food Safety Act of 2013, and the responsibilities of food business operators.   At the end of his discussion, he encouraged the MSMEs to comply with the cGMP and to apply with the FDA LTO. (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur with reports from DOST)

April M. Montes-Bravo is an Information Officer III of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Region 1. She is currently the Information Center Manager of PIA Pangasinan Information Center based in Dagupan City.

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