Victoria, Laguna—In a bid to boost the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Laguna’s food processing sector,  the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held a series of focused seminars on product quality, and food safety.

Organized by the DTI’s Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology Region IV-A, the initiative formed part of the agency’s flagship One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen program.

It aimed to encourage MSMEs to upgrade their products and services through innovation, standards compliance, and brand development to enhance local and global market competitiveness.

With food processing identified as a priority industry in Laguna, the seminar focused on addressing critical compliance gaps—particularly in a License to Operate with the Food and Drug Administration, which is required under its mid-tier regulatory oversight.

This is a common hurdle for many traditional and mechanized processors, who often struggle to meet food safety standards due to limited resources and technical knowledge.

To help bridge these gaps, the capacity-building activities commenced on April 15 with a session on Food Safety and Quality Management. Subsequent session included Current Good Manufacturing Practices in the New Normal on April 24, Product and Process Standardization on May 8, and Workshop and One-on-One Consultancy on Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures on May 23, all of which were held at DTI-Laguna Provincial Office.

These trainings equipped participants—known as OTOPreneurs—with the essential knowledge and practical skills to begin developing their own food safety systems. Ultimately, the DTI continues to open pathways for improved product quality, market access, and sustainable economic growth across the province. ♦

Date of Release: 28 May 2025