On 3 February 2022, DTI Quezon’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) met with the Provincial Government of Quezon-Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), LGU Candelaria, and the beneficiaries of the soon-to-be-established SSF for Multi-Commodity Processing Center in Candelaria, Quezon to identify the needs and the status of the organization. The activity was facilitated by SSF Provincial Coordinator Ma. Graciela C. Ledesma and SSF Support Staff Dara Jannes C. Obmerga.

The meeting started with an opening prayer led by Ms. Herminia Arpia, president of the RIC Federation. Russell Manaba, OPA Quezon Planning Officer, gave an overview of the project: SSF stands for Multi-Commodity Processing Center for Agri-Based Food Products. The products to be processed are cacao, coffee, citrus, vacuum fried products, and spray dried products. The location is Pahinga Sur, Candelaria Quezon. He also said that the purpose of the meeting was to identify the needs of the beneficiaries and that they would assist the federation of farmers with the registration for CDA and its organization process.

SSF Provincial Coordinator Ledesma also gave an overview of the DTI project. She explained that the Shared Service Facilities Program is DTI’s flagship program on the provision of tools, machinery, and equipment to people’s organizations, state universities, government agencies, etc., to improve the production of local products. She also said that DTI is ready to assist them when it comes to entrepreneurial training and product development training.

Provincial Director Julieta L. Tadiosa gave her a message of support and thanked all the attendees of the meeting. She reiterated DTI’s commitment to helping the beneficiaries acquire business knowledge and capacity-building skills in order for them to properly handle the business side of the production of their agri-based food products.

Also, Mariah S. Cabaeros of OPA Quezon discussed the process of application to CDA, an overview of a cooperative, and the requirements thereof.

After the discussion, they gave room for an open forum. The team identified that the beneficiaries needed a series of skills training in preparation for the operation of the facility. OPA Quezon will train them at the Quezon Food and Herbal Processing Center in Pagbilao, Quezon. In addition, DTI Quezon will also conduct entrepreneurial training for these beneficiaries.♦

Date of Release: 23 March 2022