BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte- The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13 successfully conducted the Training on Fish Processing and Food Safety Awareness for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on April 24-26, 2019 at Goat2geder Hotel & Restaurant, Butuan City.

The training aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills of the PWDs on Fish Processing and Food Safety Awareness through technology promotion. Participants came from Butuan City.

OIC-Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo, thanked the participants for getting out of their shells. He said that a disability will not hinder anyone to succeed. Rather, it is the attitude and drive to achieve the dreams that matters. He also emphasized the importance of team work and help each other in order to prosper. Calonzo also reminded everyone to share the knowledge that they gained from the training.

Dr. Desiderio B. Julaton, member of the Caraga Food Safety Team discussed Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). He has emphasized that the major responsibility of the food handler is to prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses that can cause adverse effects to the consumer.

Julaton said that during and after preparation, it is very important to wash hands since this directly comes in contact with the food. Highest level of personal cleanliness must also be observed.

An open forum was done to address the queries of the participants. Hands-on activity on fish processing followed, with Ms. Maricel Maturan and Mr. Paterno Silla Jr. both from the Technical Division of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Caraga, as the resource persons. Participants were grouped into three and individually debone the milkfish (bangus) as well as fish salting. They were taught with the step by step process on processing fish for them to grasp all the procedures and techniques.

Participants were able to visit the Jida Aqua Resources, one of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved fish processing plant in Butuan City. The participants also went to the Food Innovation Center at Caraga State University (CSU) Campus, Ampayon, Butuan City where they were able to see the equipment used for various processing techniques and the plant lay-out that is food safety compliant.

Several impressions were consolidated right after the training “I am very impressed of the efforts of the ATI for the Persons with Disabilities. They made us feel that they care for us, that we are special and lovable. I thank the Lord for having ATI as an instrument for our development as a person. May they have more trainings for us. Thank you for your unending support.” Said Lotha Mariano, one of the participants during the training.

Ms. Jocelyn A. Bayona, Training Specialist III of ATI-RTC 13 encouraged the participants to share the knowledge and learnings they gained from the training. She emphasized that fear must not overpower their willingness to learn and apply new things that could help them individually and as a group despite their indifferences and disability.