DOST-NCR, Marikina Food Safety Team, Draft Roadmap for Marikina MSMEs

Food experts from the DOST-NCR joins the Marikina Food Safety Team (MFST) during its Strategic Planning Workshop last 7 June 2023 with representatives and technical experts from the Department of Trade and Industry – National Capital Regional Office (DTI-NCRO) and the Marikina City Health Office to produce a 5-year roadmap aimed at upgrading the operations of food enterprises in Marikina City.

The workshop, which was conducted at the DTI-NCRO Center for Innovation and Technology for Enterprises in Marikina City, focused on harmonizing and complementing the programs and services on food safety of the three agencies. The objective is to come up with collaborative Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) initiatives to benefit Marikina City’s stakeholders, particularly those involved in the food industry.

Present at the workshop were Vic Palomo, Rey De Guzman, Gilbert Santiago, Erick Cruz, Melvin Laguno, Eduardo Chambers, Jr., and Normando Mercado from the Marikina City Health Office, Rizaldy Cantimbuhan, Jennifer Basul-Candelaria, Ferdinand Angeles and Kenneth Pelegrino from the DTI- NCRO, and Oscar Sevilla, Albei Keith Tolete, Abegail Atienza and Jemina Lynn Temporaza from the DOST-NCR.

Prior to today’s activity, the MFST conducted a competency needs assessment and a capability building training on food safety knowledge to generate competent food safety assessors/trainers and sanitary inspectors. The workshop also included a mock audit at some partner food establishments.

As Marikina City continues to champion the balance between gastronomy and compliance with safety standards of food manufacturers, the DOST-NCR will continue to support the local government in crafting innovative and timely interventions that will sustain the quality and competitiveness of food MSMEs in the city.

By: Albei Keith Tolete, FS Unit