DOST Rizal

: 𝐑𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫

Tanay, Rizal — To sharpen the competitive edge of locally-made goods, Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) across Rizal province recently underwent training on safe food handling and quality control.

The food safety awareness seminar last May 5 was a collaborative initiative between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Rizal and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Rizal. The seminar focused on bridging the gap between raw production and market-ready standards by equipping farmers with the tools to manage sanitation, allergens, and temperature control.

The seminar brought together representatives from six key agrarian reform cooperatives, signaling a province-wide push for better food standards: Silihan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SARCO) of Angono; Corazon De Jesus Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CDJMPC) of Baras; Halang Agricultural Livelihood Association for Nurturing Growers Corporation (HALANG), Sipsipin Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SMPC), and Llano Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LFMPC) of Jalajala; and Sampaloc Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SARBMPC) of Tanay.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II, Mr. Raul M. Leonin, opened the event by stressing that food safety is not just a regulatory hurdle but also a foundation for community growth. The training objectives were discussed by ARPO I Mr. Richard Harold F. Mapula in terms of actionable steps for participants.

Expert insights were provided by Mr. Rjay M. Salabao of the DOST CALABARZON Food Safety Team, in which complex safety protocols were broken down into manageable practices, focusing on hazard identification, operational safety (hand hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, and storage protocols), and myth-busting, specifically the need for vigilance throughout the entire supply chain.

The seminar concluded with a clear message: food safety is a shared, continuous responsibility. By shifting the focus from simple farming to professional food processing, Rizal ARBs are better positioned to protect consumers and scale their local enterprise.

The partnership between DOST and DAR remains steadfast in empowering agrarian communities, ensuring that the food on Filipino tables is not only locally grown but meets the highest standards of safety and excellence.

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧... 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧!🧘‍♂️✨

​This May the 4th, DOST Rizal celebrates the 'Force' of innovation and discovery. Whether it's exploring the stars through our space tech programs or mastering the digital frontier with i4Rizal—our brand new signature webinar series, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯—we are here to guide you.

​Get ready to harness the power of the 4th Industrial Revolution. May the Fourth S&T spirit be with you, Rizaleños! 🌌⚔️

​