To boost the development of products among micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, the Science and Technology Ministry of the Bangsamoro Government provided technology training for three cooperatives in Cotabato City. Taking place from November 28-30 and December 4-6, 2023, the cooperatives that benefited from the training were TMA Food Enterprise (TMA), engaged in pita making; Biniruan Pansit Producers Cooperative (BPPC), engaged in pansit making; and Pagalamatan United Farmers & Producers Cooperative (PUFPC), involved in tipas making.

Participants learned new knowledge, skills, and best practices to hone their capacity to work and handle their day-to-day operations. Specifically, they were introduced to topics about Food Safety, Personal Hygiene, Proper Handwashing, Cross-contamination, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Halal Awareness and Certification, and packaging and labeling training. For the latter, they were trained to apply the standard packaging and labeling for tipas, pita, and pansit products.

In a statement during the training, Ms. Norhaya Sumaluyan, Cotabato S & T Center (CSTC) Head, said that the technology training provided for MSMEs will ensure the improvement and hasten the processing of their raw materials to create finished products using advanced equipment provided for them.

“Ang Technology Training ay napakahalaga sapagkat ito ay isa sa mga Goal ng MOST-BARMM upang ma-improve at mapabilis ang pag proseso sa produksiyon sa pag gawa ng mga pagkain gamit ang mga makabagong kagamitan/equipment na ipinamahagi ng Ministry kalakip niyan ay mga trainings para ma-enhance ang inyong mga kaalaman/ideas at kalidad sa pag gawa ng inyong mga produkto,” Sumaluyan said.

[Technology Training is very important because it is in line with the goals of MOST-BARMM to improve and speed up the production process of producing food using advanced equipment and technology provided by the Ministry, which includes training programs to enhance your knowledge, ideas, and product quality.]

Meanwhile, Moner Ali, BPPC Vice-President, expressed gratitude to MOST for the technology intervention they have received.

“Lubos kaming nagpapa-salamat sa MOST-BARMM sa pangunguna ni MP Engr. Aida M. Silongan at sa Staff ng Cotabato City sa mga binigay sa aming mga Kaalaman, Trainings, at Equipment upang mapabilis ang aming produksiyon at malaking tulong ito sapagkat makikilala ang aming barangay sa pag gawa ng masarap na Pansit muli sa tulong ng BARMM Governmen at Allah swt Sukor2x kami sa mga ganitong ridziki sa aming cooperative.” Ali said.

[We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to MOST-BARMM through MP Engr. Aida M. Silongan and the staff of Cotabato City for providing us with the knowledge, training, and equipment to improve our production process and greatly contribute to the development of our cooperative.]

Under the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program and Bangsamoro Empowerment through Science and Technology, MOST ensures that MSMEs in the Bangsamoro region will be empowered through the infusion of S&T intervention. This intervention aims to improve their products and ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices and the minimum requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration.

[Information and Communication]