Philippine province to become meat processors hub

 

 

The province of Lanao del Norte is now eyeing to become the canned and meat processors' hub in Mindanao, local officials said on Saturday (March 6).

 

According to the officials at a meeting, the food processors in the province are now ready to export their products to other nations after attending an intensive orientation seminar held recently at the Mindanao Training Center at Pigcarangan in the capital town of Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

 

The seminar was conducted by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) for the members and officers of the Lanao del Norte Food Processors Association (Lanorpa).

 

In that activity, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also conducted training on food processing, packaging and marketing technique. The BFAD also conducted a license to operate (LTO) orientation for Lanorpa.

 

The orientation seminar was spearheaded by Food and Drug Regulation Officer Ruthelma Olmoguez, said provincial information officer Ben Labial.

 

"Our province will become the hub of canning and meat processing in Mindanao. Once the processing method or technique is perfected, the food processors in Lanao del Norte are now ready to export their food products to other nations,'' said Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo.

 

Dimaporo said that in any business transaction which is engaged in importation, exportation, distribution, manufacture and re-packing of products regulated by BFAD, one should get a license to operate (LTO) before the operation would start.

 

Lanorpa adheres to the rules and regulation required by BFAD for the safety of consumers and its members.

 

Early this week, the government fisheries agency extended a PHP25-million assistance to Lanao del Norte province for mass fishing production.

 

Aside from big income and tax revenues in this progressing province, the fishing programme in this part of Northern Mindanao is also in line with the provincial government's effort in extending assistance to the livelihood organisations in Lanao del Norte, said Dimaporo.