About P250,000.00 worth of processing equipment was turned over to five (5) cooperatives in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro region from November 22-24, 2023.

Through the Bangsamoro Empowerment for Science and Technology (BEST) Project, MOST, in collaboration with the Provincial S & T Center (PSTC), facilitated the delivery of processing equipment and conducted some renovations in the production area.

The micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) benefiting from the BEST program include the Bandara Kadingilan Women’s Association engaged in Dried Fish Making, Asatidz Mangungaya Association (AMA) – Cassava Chips Making, Pikit 2 Catalyst Association (P2CA) – Peanut Butter Making, Integrated Bangsamoro & Agricultural Development Association – Coconut Vinegar Making, and Kapalawan Women’s Association – Chicken Kagikit Processing from the SGA – Baranggay Clusters of Pigcawayan, Pikit, Carmen, and Kabacan, North Cotabato.

During the turnover ceremony, Monawara Abdulbadie, Chief, S & T Division, encouraged each cooperative to fully maximize the use of processing equipment to increase product output.

“Su nya a inenggay salekano na BARMM endu MOST na masla a kadsukol. Bedtabangan nami siya sa MOST su mga umpungan a na-establish den, aden produkto nen, para ga-improve su umpungan. Noma kanu nu MOST, madtabangan kanu sa technology intervention para igkapya su produkto nu. Gamit nu sa mamaximize su kagamit sa mga processing equipment para makaproduce sa madakel a produkto.” Monawara said.

[The support provided by BARMM and MOST is a great source of gratitude for us. At MOST, we assist established cooperatives with existing products. MOST has reached out to help you through technological intervention, aiming to enhance your product. Make the most of the processing equipment to maximize production of a variety of products.]

She also expressed hope for the success of each cooperative, envisioning their products on grocery store shelves and in various markets.

“I-bedturn over nami anya na apya pedu na masla a makatabang sa kapegprocess na mga raw materials. Hopefully, na maton tanu o mailay tanu den i mga product nu anya sa mga grocery stores,” she added.

[Even with a small turnover, it can greatly contribute to the processing of your raw materials. Hopefully, we’ll see your products in grocery stores and many other markets soon.]

Meanwhile, cooperative managers expressed gratitude for the technological intervention provided by MOST.

“Masla i nya a bedsukuran ka inenggan ta nilan sa equipment endu renovation na production area tanu. Amayka mapya i kapegkapit ta sa negosyo ta anya na basi aden pan makatundog a mga tabang. Masla a kadsukor sa MOST.” Alimudin Manamba, AMA President said.

[This is a big thankfulness because they provided us with equipment and renovated the production area. If we handle this business well, there might be more assistance in the future. This is a huge gratitude to MOST.]

“Di ko expect a pakoma kami sa manya a kapyanan. Bedsukol kami sa MOST labi den kani Minister Silongan. Mapya inya a ukit u kauyagan. Bedsukol kami ka nauma nami inyaba. Ipailay tanu sa MOST i di masayang i mga inenggay nilan salekitano. Papyanan taw i kabangumbal anya sa peanut butter endu kaped pan a mga produkto. Tyakapan nami inya endu i-improve pan,” Noraida Sansaluna, P2CA President said.

[I didn’t expect us to reach this level of goodness. We are grateful to MOST, especially to Minister Silongan. This is a good way of living. We appreciate being reached by this opportunity. Let’s show MOST that what has been given to us is not in vain. Let’s improve the production of peanut butter and other products. We will take care of it and strive for further improvement.]

The BEST Project is under the MOST Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program (TTCP), which aims to assist newly establishing MSMEs in the Bangsamoro region by adhering to good manufacturing practices. Technology interventions provided under this project include technology training, food safety, and halal awareness, along with the provision of start-up equipment.

Once these businesses have established their operations well, they become eligible for the MSMEs-Upgrading Project, which aims to assist them in product development and other intervention, such as provision of processing equipment, renovation of production area, technology trainings, halal testing and analysis assistance for halal certification application and FDA License to Operate Application.

MOST aims to foster empowerment for MSMEs, adhering to minimum requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration, to provide safe, halal, and quality food products for consumers.

#MSMEsEmpowerment #BangsamoroCooperatives #ProcessingEquipmentforCoops #ParasaBangsamoro

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