Province of Dinagat Islands - The Skills Training on Cassava Processing, Packaging and Labelling for 4-H Club Members was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII on April 11-13, 2018 at the Guest Center, Cuarinta, San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI). It was participated in by 30 4-H Club members from the municipalities of PDI.

The topics discussed and resource persons during the three-day activity were: Food Safety Awareness by Dr. Nancy L. Charcos; Cassava Processing by Zenda Elago, Maricho Mancile and Antonieta Toskoswki; and Packaging and Labeling by Estela Marie Balighot from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The partakers were able to present their cassava processed products as outputs of the training namely: Cassava Empanada, Cassava Fries, Cassava Pudding and Cassava-Buko Bibingka.

Majadelle Marie Batar, from Barangay New Mabuhay, Municipality of Dinagat, said that the activity inspired her to be an entrepreneur and that it was a great opportunity for young farmers like her to gain knowledge and skills in cassava handling. She added that the event encouraged them to contribute to the Philippine economy and reduce unemployment through discovering, learning, sharing, and processing cassava.

Oswaldo Borja, Provincial Agriculturist of PDI, emphasized during his message the status of the supply of cassava in their province. Further, he expressed that enough fund for the processing building and equipment is needed for cassava farmers. The province is also known for cassava production and dreams to have a pasalubong center one day where various cassava delicacies are displayed. He ended his message stressing that the young famers or 4-H members are the hope of their locality.