In today’s competitive market, product quality alone does not ensure market success. Packaging and labeling play a crucial role in influencing consumer perception and purchase decisions. This was highlighted during the Training on Packaging and Mandatory Labeling Requirements conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Capiz in partnership with the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) for members of the Cabugao Catfish Farmers Association (CCFA) and Basiao Fish Processor Association (BFPA).

“Ang Basiao isa sa mga tourist attraction sa mga taga diri kag bisan sa outside sang Ivisan. Kag isa pa, damo kita diri produkto. So I hope nga ini nga training nga iga-provide sang DOST Capiz makabulig sa inyo kag makahatag sang idea sa kung paano ang maayos nga packaging kag labeling para mas kaanya-kanya kag kaakit-akit sa mga buyers,” [Basiao is one of the tourist attractions for locals and visitors outside Ivisan. Also, we have many products. So, I hope that this training being provided by DOST Capiz will help and give you ideas on proper packaging and labeling so that your products will become more unique and attractive to buyers.] Ms. Farah Gaud A. Urdales, Program Field Coordinator of IIRR – Panay Program, shared during her opening remarks of the activity.

Resource person, Ms. Mia C. Pielago, Senior Science Research Specialist, emphasized that packaging goes beyond aesthetics, serving as protection against damage and contamination while ensuring product quality and shelf life. The discussion was supported with sample packaging materials and reinforced through an egg drop test, where participants applied the functions of packaging by designing protective packaging for eggs dropped from specific heights.

The session also underscored the importance of proper labeling as a key requirement for market readiness. Labeling was presented as a tool for product identification, consumer information, compliance, and trust-building, critical factors in increasing consumer confidence and market access.

Ms. Ma. Julee A. Veedor, a BFPA member, expressed how the training helped improve her understanding of proper packaging materials and labeling requirements for her dried fish products: “Bilang isa ka negosyante sang uga nga isda, dako gid ang akon pagpasalamat sa DOST Capiz kag IIRR-Ivisan sa ila pagpatigayon sang training sa packaging and labeling. Tungod sini nga training, nahibaluan ko na ang husto nga mga materyales sa pagputos agud magpabilin nga maayo ang kalidad sang akon baligya, pati ang mga impormasyon nga dapat ibutang sa label.” [“As an entrepreneur in the dried fish business, I am very grateful to DOST Capiz and IIRR-Ivisan for conducting the training on packaging and labeling. Through this training, I learned the proper packaging materials to help maintain the good quality of my products, as well as the information that should be included on the label.”]

In addition, participants were oriented on the DOST Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) Program, encouraging awareness and access to educational opportunities in science and technology fields.

Overall, the training equipped local fishery-based enterprises with practical knowledge on proper packaging and labeling standards, enhancing the capacity of producers in Basiao to develop safer and more market-ready products. As both a tourist destination and a producer of local fish goods, Basiao has strong potential to expand its products to wider markets through improved product presentation. (RAPizon/DOST Capiz; Photos by: RAPizon/DOST Capiz; AGFelasol/IIRR)

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 (𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛) 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺’𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘚&𝘛 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵—𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰.

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