05/08/2026
๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐
Members of the Molinete Farmers Association Nature's Farm Inc. (MOFA) strengthened their readiness for food processing and regulatory compliance after completing a two-day training on current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), food safety hazards (FSH), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas in partnership with World Vision at the association's farm in Barangay Molinete, Laurel, Batangas, August 03โ04.
The activity aimed to equip MOFA members with the knowledge and skills needed to establish a food processing enterprise that complies with national food safety standards and regulatory requirements to help them produce safe, quality, and market-ready products.
MOFA is a community-based organization in Barangay Molinete dedicated to promoting food security, sustainable agriculture, and livelihood development. The association is accredited by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as a Learning Site for Agriculture and is recognized by the Local Government Unit of Laurel for its active role in advancing agricultural initiatives in the municipality.
The training on cGMP covered key elements of food manufacturing, including personnel organization and training, plant construction and design, equipment, sanitation and hygiene, process control, quality management systems, laboratory control, documentation, warehousing and distribution, product traceability, recall procedures, and other operational requirements necessary to ensure the consistent production of safe and quality food products.
Participants also underwent a session on FSH, where they learned to identify physical, biological, and chemical hazards that may occur throughout food processing. The discussion emphasized preventive measures and control strategies to minimize contamination risks and protect consumer health.
To prepare the association for regulatory compliance, DOST-Batangas provided an overview of the FDA License to Operate (LTO) application process. Participants were oriented on the documentary requirements, registration procedures, facility standards, and cGMP requirements necessary for securing an LTO, highlighting its importance in legally operating a food manufacturing enterprise and expanding market opportunities.
The training concluded with a mock GMP audit, during which the DOST CALABARZON Food Safety Team evaluated MOFA's food processing facility against cGMP requirements. The simulated assessment examined facility layout, sanitation practices, personnel hygiene, equipment, documentation, production flow, storage, and other operational areas to help the association identify compliance gaps and prepare for future FDA inspections.
Ms. Renalee L. Reyes and Ms. Anna Marie M. Marasigan, members of the DOST CALABARZON Food Safety Team, facilitated the training and provided technical guidance throughout the lectures, workshops, and facility assessment.
Through the activity, DOST-Batangas continues to build the capacity of community-based associations by strengthening their food safety systems and preparing them to meet regulatory standards, supporting the development of science- and technology-based enterprises that can generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
