Press Release: Rev.

01
17 July 2018

DOST, DSWD train Food Makers Association in Iloilo for Prod.

Dev. & Food Safety
Iloilo — The Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST), partnered with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development KALAHI-CIDSS otherwise known as the Kapit-
Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, in the
conduct of a training on food safety and seminar-workshop on packaging and labeling, for Balasan
Food Makers SLP Association in the Barangay Sub-Project Committee of Brgy. Lawis, Balasan,
Iloilo last July 2 to 3, and 5, 2018, respectively.

Highlights of this event include the discussion on importance of packaging and labeling, and food
safety. The latter aims to promote the adoption of safe food handling practices among food
processors and other stakeholders of the processed food industry while the former intends to
boost competitiveness through the provision of packaging services – from package development
and trainings as well as laboratory and consultancy services, among others.

In DOST’s food packaging and labelling program, experts are available both in-house and
external to address the needs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). DOST works
with a network of partner institutions such as the Packaging Technology Division of DOST-ITDI,
Taytay Sa Kauswagan Inc. (TSKI) – Kauswagan Design and Packaging Center, Central Philippine
University (CPU) PC-PET and various packaging centers based in State Universities and
Colleges (SUCs) as well as local Government Units (LGUs).

Meanwhile, KALAHI-CIDSS is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the Philippine

Government being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
It uses the community-driven development (CDD) approach, a globally recognized strategy for
achieving service delivery, poverty reduction, and good governance outcomes.
Started in 2003, its scale-up was approved on 18 January 2013 by the National Economic
Development Authority (NEDA) Board, which was headed by President Benigno Aquino III. The
development objective of Kalahi-CIDSS is to have barangays/communities of targeted
municipalities become empowered to achieve improved access to services and to participate in
more inclusive local planning, budgeting, and implementation.
These trainings were requested by the DSWD KALAHI CIDSS in Balasan to assist the Balasan
Food Makers SLP Association in gaining basic knowledge on food handling, food safety,
packaging and labelling requirements and good manufacturing practices in conjunction with the
ongoing construction of their food processing center as one of the projects by the DSWD to the
municipality.

The products being processed by the members of the said association include lumpia, boneless
bangus, smoked bangus, beef tapa, chicken nuggets, chicken siomai with cheese.
(DOST6/JRAGabiota)
Members of Balasan Food Makers SLP Association who are into food processing with products such as Siomai (Pork,
Beef and Chicken), Lumpia, Smoked Bangus, listen to the speakers from DOST VI as regards Food packaging,
labelling and food safety.

Participants were grouped into four and were given a product (egg) and limited materials to design
a packaging that will comply with its four functions. Each group chose a representative to market
and present their product labels following the mandatory labeling requirements of the Philippines.
The packages were then dropped from different heights.
Participants used Glo Germ™ lotion on their hands to see whether their hand washing practice
was effective.