The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST-BARMM), in partnership with Community and Family Services International (CFSI), successfully conducted a series of crash course trainings on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), food safety, and Halal awareness in various Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps from August to September 2024 across mainland provinces. The program also included a brief overview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) application process at the community level.

This initiative, part of the Communities for Learning and Employment Project (CLEP), aims to equip participants with critical knowledge and skills to ensure food safety and align with Halal standards, promoting peace and sustainable development in the MILF camps. The project targets younger individuals, particularly women, to engage in professional, technical, or vocational training.

Training sessions were held across several camps, including Camp Omar, Camp Rajamuda, Camp Bushra, and Camp Bilal, with participation from local government units, Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT), and representatives from MOST-BARMM and CFSI. The sessions emphasized the importance of food safety in community-based enterprises, such as the production of buko pie, sago noodles, vinegar, and palapa, products currently being developed by the camp-based cooperatives.

Through these trainings, participants, many of whom are involved in food processing and livelihood activities, gained practical knowledge to mitigate food risks and hazards, enabling them to produce safe and quality products for both local consumption and potential market expansion. Additionally, the training sessions highlighted Halal standards, ensuring that food products align with the values and dietary laws of the Muslim community.

MOST-BARMM’s active involvement in CLEP underscores its commitment to enhancing local skills and promoting a safe, sustainable, and inclusive livelihood environment within the Bangsamoro region.

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