The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology Office (Iloilo PSTO) conducted two separate Food Safety orientations and training in Iloilo City.

The first was an orientation for the Progress B-Gusht Livelihood Association (PBLA) home-based food processors comprised of community mobile food sellers, sidewalk food vendors, and eatery owners.  The orientation was conducted in line with the project, “Building Resilient and Empowered Communities through Science and Technology Interventions in PBLA, LECOFADA [Leon Confed Farmer Dairy Association], PSPA [Paloc Sool Pantawid Assocation], and VVNSLPA [Villahermosa Vegetable Noodle Sustainable Livelihood Program Association]”.

“This Orientation on Food safety is very timely for us here in Iloilo City, as lately we experienced acute gastroenteritis and cholera outbreak.  I can really apply my learnings from this orientation (food safety) in preparing the food as an owner of a ‘Carinderia’ in this community,” states Ms. Irene Villanueva, Vice President of PBLA.

Another training was conducted for Iloilo City Government (ICG) personnel and Iloilo City-based food vendors.  This was a requested intervention by the ICG for food/market vendors stationed at local public district markets, central markets, and terminal markets. Starting in September 2022, the training is conducted twice a month and will be done by batch until all of the targeted food vendors have completed it.

Both activities were conducted by Paula C. Huelar, DOST-accredited Resource Person under the OneExpert Porgram.  Ms. Huelar was assisted by Tito C. Gambuta, Project Assistant (PA) II of Iloilo PSTO. (KJRGagajena/DOST VI-KMU)