PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur- The Training on Meat Processing and Food Safety Awareness at the Provincial Veterinary Office of Agusan del Sur was actively participated by thirty (30) women. Most of them are members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) from San Luis and the On-the-Job Trainees from PVET-ADS.

Dr. Joriz Elevazo, the Provincial Veterinarian of Agusan del Sur mentioned the importance of food safety awareness and food processing training during the opening program.

On the other hand, Ms. Jocelyn Bayona, Training Specialist III of ATI-Caraga encouraged everyone to learn and share the knowledge to the community. The Project Officer Ms. Paula Mae A. Creencia, did the training preliminaries right after the program.

Member of the Caraga Food Safety Team, Engr. Andrea J. Cabonita, PSTD-Agusan del Sur served as the Resource Person on the first day with topics on Intro to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Food Safety Hazards and Food Contact Surfaces. Handwashing, Personal Hygiene and topic on Cross Contamination also included.

Moreover, Ms. Minda Manliguez, Livestock Inspector II of PVET-ADS speaks on Meat Processing on the following day. Discussion on the Introduction to Meat Processing and why it is relevant to know such techniques as well as the do's and don’ts and product costing was also delivered by Manliguez.

Participants were able to process Siomai, Embutido, Longganisa, Beef tapa and Tocino. After the processing, they were assigned for plating and garnishing. They were able to taste at the same time critique the products that they have processed.

Women expressed their profound gratitude to the Resource Persons, PVET and ATI staff for the new learning they gained. Overall the activity was a successful one because of their active participation.

Said training was held on July 24-26, 2019 with an aim of enhancing the participants’ knowledge on meat processing and food safety awareness (with report from PMA Creencia).