Tagbilaran City – The Agricultural Training Institute – VII (ATI-7) is now back on track with the recent conduct of training held in and outside the regional training center. Recently, two (2) batches of Safe Food Saves Life: A Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Forum was concluded on August 26 and 27, 2020 at ATI-7, Barangay Cabawan, this city.
The event which was originally scheduled last March this year was canceled due to community quarantine and was moved and fused to a day’s forum following the health protocols set at this time of the pandemic. A total of 21 attendees for 2 batches composed of Agriculture Extension Workers (AEWs), Food processors, Learning Site (LS) operators, and development partners from selected National Government Agencies (NGAs) attended the forum to maintain proper social distancing.
It was earlier this month when Bohol Provincial Governor Arthur C. Yap called for a coordination meeting among Line Agencies’ heads/representatives which were joined by ATI-7 Center Director Carolyn May O. Daquio, Ph.D. together with her staff Doris Isabel J. Racho. The meeting was geared towards Bohol’s Food, Personal, and Health products' sufficiency using local produce. The said initiative aimed to help combat possible crisis brought by the COVID19 pandemic while boosting the province’s economy thereby making Boholanos self-sufficient and resilient amidst the pandemic. The forum was timely as processors need to be equipped with proper skills and knowledge in making their products market competitive, thus the need to know the importance of Food Safety and GMP.
Applying the glow germ technology, participants were stunned to see the actual effect if germs are still in the hands if not properly wash.
In her message, ATI-7 Center Director Carolyn May O. Daquio stressed the role of the participants especially the AEWs/technicians in assisting their constituents produced safe food products by coaching and conducting re-echo. Likewise, she reminded the LS operators not to forget the big-small brother approach as a marketing scheme.
Participants were happy to bring home with them food safety kits after the forum. Mrs. Artemia Gotardo a member of the Bohol Food Safety Team was the resource speaker while Information Officer-II/Food Safety Focal Doris Isabel Racho, MPM was the project officer assisted by Ms. Quennie Lou Vistal.