The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Baguio Benguet Provincial Office launched the Shared Service Facility (SSF) on Meat Processing for Baguio City in Barangay Slaughter House Compound, Baguio City last 25 March 2022. This project is part of the commitment of DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez to the City of Baguio through Mayor Benjamin Magalong during his visit to the City back in 2019.
The project was intended to establish an innovative production center, and a learning and prototyping workplace that will collaborate with existing meat processors and entrepreneurs. It aims to propel the livelihood of the Baguio meat processors and other MSMEs in the locality.
The SSF Project was officially established with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and the Usufruct Agreement led by RD Juliet Lucas of DTI-CAR. It was witnessed by Atty. Samuel Gallardo, Provincial Director of DTI Baguio Benguet, Dr. Silardo Bested, City Veterinarian of Baguio City, Hon. Councilor Philian Allan-Weygan, Baguio City Committee Chair on Market, Trade and Commerce, and Agriculture, Dr. Brigit Piok, BOD Chairperson of the Baguio City Farmers Agricultural Cooperative, and the beneficiaries of the project.
Councilor Weygan, in her welcome message, thanked everyone who has been instrumental in pushing through with the project. She added that through good governance and a government that cares for its people, the project will become successful.
According to Provincial Director Atty. Samuel Gallardo, this is the sixth SSF project to be established in Baguio City, counting the two food processing projects, two projects for the fabrication laboratory, and one coffee processing in the City. These projects had a total value of Php 21,845,869.41 at the time of their establishment.
“The pandemic will not stop DTI in helping the MSMEs”, he added.
Regional Director Juliet P. Lucas officially turned over the project to the City of Baguio. In her message, she encouraged the beneficiaries to do their best in operationalizing the project, especially since it requires daily support of meat. She hopes that the facility helps to improve the meat products and make Baguio known for a quality product.
Among the tools and equipment provided are the following: bone saw machine, bowl cutter, vertical manual sausage stuffer, meat/ food slicer, vacuum massage tumble machine, ham molders, cooking bath, upright freezers, smoke house, stainless working tables, stainless mobile/ portable sinks, vacuum packaging machines, automatic desktop impulse sealers, stacking pallets, trolleys, coolers, crates, pneumatic sausage filler and twister machine, sausage linker machine, and meat grinder with cleavers amounting to PHP3,077,106.40.
Dr. Silardo Bested, representing the City of Baguio, and Dr. Brigit Piok, representing the beneficiaries, accepted the project and expressed their gratitude to the DTI and the other offices that made the project possible. They committed to keeping the facility working and for it to achieve its purpose.
The project is expected to produce high-quality processed meat products and generate income and job opportunities for the City. ♦
Date of Release: 29 April 2022