AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE EXPANDS COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH DOLE BATANGAS AMP-FUNDED TECHNICAL TRAININGS ON FOOD FRAUD, FOOD DEFENSE

The Batangas Egg Producers Cooperative (BEPCO), despite being one of the thriving agricultural cooperatives in Batangas, acknowledges that one of the key challenges they face is the financial constraints that hamper their access to the technical training necessary to uphold the quality of their products and enhance their competitiveness in the industry.

According to Ms. May Candelario, General Manager of BEPCO, they are actively exploring potential sources of support to help them meet the training requirements.

“Isa po sa nagtulak samin bukod po sa pangangailangan namin po talaga, nakita po namin yung mga requirements at kaya naman po naming i-provide, malaking tulong din po sya kase ang gusto rin po namin is nadadagdan po ang kalaaman sa pagpasok po sa kooperatiba. Hindi po natitigil yung learning nung mga tao na nakakatulong naman po na mas mapaunlad po ang ating kooperatiba at makatulong po sa ating pamayanan,” she remarked.

With this hunger for learning and the goal of having employees with adequate knowledge on the technical aspects of egg production, Ms. May and their team prepared their project proposal to which the DOLE Batangas Provincial Office assessed and endorsed for further evaluation by the Regional Office.

Following the thorough assessment and subsequent approval, BEPCO employees received subsidies for training on Food Defense and Food Safety from an accredited training center. These training sessions empowered the cooperative’s workforce with essential knowledge, enhancing their competence and preparing them to meet global standards in egg production.

“Through trainings po mas marami po kaming nalaman so mas na upgrade yung kalaaman ng mga tao kahit dito po sa planta, mas tumaas po ang standard, dahil po sa traning madami po sya naitulong samin, mas naintindihan namin at kung pano sya gagawin parang napag tibay po don ang kalaman namin,” Ms. May shared.

In addition to gaining technical knowledge, the employees also received laptops, which enabled them to perform their official duties more efficiently within the cooperative.

“Malaki din pong tulong mas mapapabilis po namin ang trabaho namin kase nga upgraded po yung mga laptops na binigay samin mas mabilis po naming nagagawa yung mga reports o kung ano man pong kailangan naming isubmit para po mas mapaunland pa ang aming kooperatiba,” Ms. May emphasized.

With the support of the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program (AMP), BEPCO now aims to serve a wider range of clients, having acquired the necessary qualifications aligned with food safety standards.

BEPCO stands as a testament to DOLE’s unwavering commitment to empowering enterprises and cooperatives by enhancing their technical knowledge and capabilities, ultimately contributing to the promotion of decent and sustainable employment opportunities.

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BEPCO staff during the training on food fraud and food defense. (Photo by P. Magsino)

BEPCO staff during the turnover of laptops at the DOLE Batangas Provincial Office.