VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) - Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Catanduanes spearheaded various trainings and seminars this month to aid local entrepreneurs, consumers and other stakeholders.
On August 25, DTI hosted the Coconut Industry Consultation and Planning Workshop at Rhaj Executive Inn & Apartelle Inc. Its objective is to determine possible interventions to develop further the coconut industry here through production, skills development, technology, financing and capability-building inputs coming from various agencies. The beneficiaries would be coconut farmer organizations and micro-small enterprises.
Identified beneficiaries who participated in the session were guided by lectures on programs and services provided to them by the local representatives from PCA, DTI, DOST, PASO, and DA-CHUDS. The 16 coconut farmers organizations from municipality of Pandan, Caramoran, San Andres, Bato, Baras, Bagamanoc, Viga and San Miguel, were able to formulate a draft of Action Plan for Coconut Industry Cluster.
According to DTI Catanduanes Provincial Director Maria Belma Escueta, the initiative is in consonance with the assignment of DTI as Chair of the PCA Board Committee on Coconut Enterprise Development, provided under R.A. No. 11524 otherwise known as the "Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act", which was signed in February 2021.
DTI was likewise appointed as the Implementing Agency for the Research, Marketing & Promotion component of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (Section 4).
The mandate for implementation was received this month, coinciding with the national celebration of Coconut Week.
Also, a free seminar on food safety and current Good Manufacturing was held on August 23, participated by food processors from different municipalities in Catanduanes.
The activity is part of DTI’s commitment to continuously promote awareness on the Dos and Don’ts when it comes to food preparation, processing, preservation and more which are all essential to ensure compliance to safety and quality standards.
The learning session is also one of the primary requirements in securing an FDA-LTO permit.
Last August 16, 2022, a Consumer Education & Advocacy Seminar was conducted for twenty (20) officers and members of Pagsangahan Integrated Farmers Association in San Miguel.
The resource person, Ms. Fatimah Tanael of the DTI Catanduanes Consumer Protection Division discussed about RA 3883 or the Business Name Law, Price Act of the Philippines, Price Tag Law, and How to Handle Consumer Complaints.
Twenty-two (22) participants composed of PWDs and Senior Citizens were also equipped with updates and relevant knowledge on consumerism through Consumer Education and Advocacy Seminar held on August 12 in coordination with MSWDO Viga.
The DTI Catanduanes Consumer Protection Division Head Celeste Tribiana discussed about the benefits and privileges of PWDs and Senior Citizens while Ms. Fatimah Tanael, Trade & Industry Development Specialist of DTI Catanduanes expounded on RA 3883 or the Business Name Law.
Ms. Escueta disclosed that they will continue to conduct seminars and activities that will capacitate it stakeholders. (PIA5/Catanduanes)
