Manila Water announces its desludging schedule for the month of October, urging its customers to avail of the desludging services with no extra fees, to avoid overflowing septic tanks which can cause damage to their properties and hazard to the community and the environment.
Manila Water Corporate Communications Department Head Dittie Galang emphasized the significance of having household septic tanks siphoned every 5 to 7 years to ensure that all the collected septage will undergo proper treatment through Manila Water’s wastewater treatment plants before being discharged to creeks, rivers and other waterways.
“Access to clean water and sanitation has been the core of Manila Water’s service, that is why we make sure services like septic tank desludging will be easily available to our customers. Following our environmental advocacy of Toka Toka, which is the first and only environmental movement in the country that promotes proper management of wastewater in every household, we call on our customers to make regular septic tank desludging and maintenance as their “toka” or an important share in reviving our rivers and waterways.” said Galang.
This October, Manila Water’s desludging services will be available to residents of Barangays San Roque, Calumpang, Sto. Niño, Sta. Elena, Nangka and Fortune in Marikina City; Barangays Culiat, Paligsahan, Matandang Balara, Marilag, Mangga, Kaunlaran, Valencia and Immaculate Concepcion in Quezon City; Barangays 766, 770, 772, 780, 782, 783, 79, 793, 866, 869, 873, 874, 875, 876, 894, 896, 897, 898, 899, 903, 904, 905 in the City of Manila; Barangays Buwayang Bato, Hulo, Plainview and Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City; Barangays Carmona, Poblacion, Sta. Cruz, Tejeros, East Rembo and San Lorenzo in Makati City; Barangay Tibagan in San Juan City; Barangay South Daang-Hari in Taguig City; and Barangay San Martin de Porres in Parañaque City.
The desludging caravan will also visit Barangays San Isidro, Dalig and Dela Paz in Antipolo City and Barangay Darangan in Binangonan in the province of Rizal.
Customers can go to their respective barangay offices to confirm the exact dates of desludging in their barangays, or call 1627, Manila Water’s Consumer Desk Hotline.
BINHI started as distributor of food supplement (Charantia) in 1998 under the name of Healthy Habits Enterprises as single proprietorship by Mr. Patrick Roquel. At the same time, he also works at UNILAB.
In 2006, he retired from UNILAB and pursued the business as distributor in the name of Global Habitz Co. Ltd. wherein he is also a member of the company. In 2009, they started to distribute lagundi and sambong tablet to DOH. In the same year, when he found out that DOH-PITAHC needs supplier of raw materials of lagundi and sambong, he started to establish the plantation of these herbal raw materials. In 2010, they started to supply lagundi to Herbs & Nature Corp and sambong to DOH-PITAHC and eventually in 2011, they formally established the Biofarm and Natural Health Ingredients Company to manufacture pre-process herbal raw materials to their customers. They are currently works in partnership with Global Habits in the distribution of their products produced. BINHI is engaged in the production of herbal plants, processing of the powdered herbal products and extraction of essentials oils from citronella and later on the other plants with essential oil.
SETUP technical assistance of P1,123,000.00 was provided for the acquisition of various machines and equipment. The project aims to upgrade the processing facility of the company by improving the processes on drying, pulverizing and storing of the herbal powdered products through equipment acquisition, upgrading of the processes on the raw material preparation and extraction of essential oils to reduce the production cost through equipment acquisition and upgrading the entire processing facility to conform with the requirements of the FDA for the acquisition of the FDA-LTO as Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company through the provision of the equipment and processes improvement.
Some of the project components were provision of Spin dryer / hydro-extractor, mobile rack, pulverizer, dust collector, dehumidifier, essential oil extractor set, and the proponents’ counterpart amounting to P110,000.00 intended for installation of UV lighting for and dehumidifier in the storage room, modification of the existing oven, and laboratory equipment for essential oil content testing. Training on current Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety Standards will also be conducted as part of the project.
Other technological interventions previously extended by PSTC-Batangas to BINHI Company were technology needs assessment (TNA) with Engr. Melchor Valdecañas of ITDI-DOST and preparation of project proposal and other supporting documents for the SETUP program.
Patrick D. Roquel, Medical Technologist and President of ROQS Intl Consumer Health Corp
Today, Biofarm and Natural Health Ingredients Company grew, until became the major supplier of raw materials of known medicine for cough in the country. From a supplier of natural health ingredient, they produced natural health products like Immune Advance, Happy Cha Lagundi Tea, Citronella Andas Spray, Citronella Andas Insect Repellent, Locomosquin and many others.#
Manila Water continues to invest in infrastructure that will help improve its service to its East Zone concession area. In close coordination with key stakeholders, the company implements major projects to promote water security and service continuity as well as environmental sustainability. To complete these projects, the company needs skillful and competent human resources in the water and wastewater sectors.
From January to August 2022, the number of blue collared workers for Manila Water Project Management Group (PMG) projects has reached to 4,977 who work simultaneously in 160 project sites in varying project phases and types, across the East Zone. On top of this are the 784 workers who are assigned to respond to the regular maintenance services across the 8 business areas.
While providing employment opportunities even in the middle of the pandemic, Manila Water strictly enforces construction safety and health protocols on all its construction sites. As a testament to its strict adherence to safety practices, PMG projects have already garnered a total of 22,336,261 safe manhours since 2021 up to present, owing to contractors being regularly reminded to practice safety first on all activities and conduct constant communication through site audit, non-compliance resolutions and sharing of best practices through the monthly safety and quality conference.
“Our sites have improved in terms of the culture and mindset of inspectors, construction managers and contractors’ workers. Having the correct mindset and programs has translated into consistent implementation of safety and quality protocols during work execution, subsequently resulting in a safer work environment and quality delivery of services,” Manila Water Project Management Group Director Robert N. Baffrey remarked.
Baffrey likewise acknowledges the vital contribution of this workforce in achieving the company’s service objectives. “While Manila Water creates opportunities across various employment sectors, whether directly or through its contractors and suppliers, and we deeply value the contribution of each talent and worker. Without the individuals who work behind these projects, the company would not be able to continuously improve its services,” Baffrey added.# (Manila Water Corporate Communications)
Ligtas ka sa Immune Advance. Bakit? Dahil ang isang kapsula ng Immune Advance ay naglalaman ng lagundi, malunggay, Non-Acidic Vitamin C at Zinc.
Sa pagsusuri ng Sentro sa Pagsusuri, Pagsasanay at Pangangasiwang Pang-Agham at Teknolohiya Corp (SentroTek) nagtataglay ito ng Vitamin B1, B3, B4, D3, Folic Acid, Vitamin E, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc at Phosphorus na kailangan ng ating katawan.
Matatandaan na matapos ang kaliwa’t kanang lockdown dahil sa Corona Virus ay natutunan nang pangalagaan ng tao ang kanilang kalusugan. Sa katunayan, samu’t saring bitamina o pampalakas ng katawan ang iniinom para matiyak lang ang mabuting kalusugan.Bagaman pinayagan na ang mga tao ang opsyonal na pagsusuot ng facemask, nirerekomenda pa rin ni G. Patrick Roquel, isang Medical Technologist at President ng Roqs Intl. Consumer Health Corporation (RiCHCORP) na magsuot ng facemask.
Patrick D. Roquel, President, Roqs Intl Consumer Health Corp. (RiCHCORP)
“Huwag magpakampante, kailangan protektado ka inside at outside para siguradong makakaiwas ka sa pagkakasakit. Kumain ng tama at masustansyang pagkain, matulog ng tama sa oras, ugaliing mag-ehersisyo, uminom ng bitamina at mga panlaban sa virus at bakterya tulad ng Immune Advance. Dapat may sandata ka sa araw-araw na giyera na sinusuong natin… papasok sa trabaho o saan man. Ang natural na sandata sa abot kayang halaga na hindi lang bitamina ang makukuha mo kundi panlaban sa virus na pinag-aralan ng mga eksperto mula sa DOST at DOH… ang lagundi.”
Sa isang panayam ng Let’s Talk On Air, binanggit ni Undersecretary Martin Diño na kailangang matutunan at maging available ang Immune Advance sa mga barangay. Kailangan isama na sa procurement ng barangay health center upang libreng maipamahagi sa mga mamamayan sa bawat barangay sa buong bansa lalo na’t kinilala na ng Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health ang kagalingan ng Lagundi bilang panlaban sa CoViD19.
Sa kasalukuyan, mabibili ang Immune Advance sa mga piling botika o sa Lazada at Shoppe sa abot kayang halaga.#
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is now reviewing the recommendations of the Korean Invention Promotion Association (KIPA) to fill in the growing demand for intellectual property (IP) professionals servicing the innovation, creativity and business markets in the Philippines.
The recommendations stemmed from a seven-month knowledge sharing program (KSP) that ended last month. The program ran a series of policy consultations about IPOPHL’s strategy and efforts in strengthening IP-based professions.
“With the comprehensive study by the KIPA, IPOPHL is better equipped in expanding our capabilities in furthering IP professions. This partnership opens the possibilities to broadening horizons for our IP professionals,” IP Academy Officer-in-Charge Assistant Director Frederick P. Romero, Ph.D. said.
Among the recommendations of KIPA are the development of a national IP human resource development framework and a certification system on specific IP professions.
IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba lauded the completion of the KSP and described it a timely development as filings are beginning to recover, indicating renewed demand for IP protection.
“This boost in demand for protecting new IPs also raises the need for IP professionals who are skilled and learned enough to safeguard these new intangible assets. These recommendations welcome the findings of this cooperation as a chance to further meet the demands of the growing IP market,” Barba said.
The study has also given IPOPHL more insight on how to develop the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), currently being finalized by the IP Academy, that can enhance the professionalization of patent and trademark agents recognized by IPOPHL.
Through the drafting of the IRR, IPOPHL aims to apply the KSP learnings into the professionalization of trademark and patent agents.
Under Section 7.1 of the IP Code, the Director General of the IPOPHL is mandated to propose policies, programs and projects for the recognition of attorneys or other persons representing applicants or other parties before IPOPHL.
The study was in cooperation with the Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Korean IP Office (KIPO), the Korea Development Institute (KDI), the Korean IP Training Institute and the KIPA to heighten the professional standards for IP experts and agents in the Philippines.
KIPA is the lead agency that trains IP talents and supplies next generation IP personnel to universities and companies.
The Republic of Korea is a known ground for skilled and thriving IP professionals as the country produces large volumes of high-value IPs that need protecting and commercializing.
In 2020, the Republic of Korea ranked 4th in having the highest patent filing activities in the world according to World Intellectual Property Indicators Report 2021. It also ranks 11th in marks and 2nd in designs.
Meanwhile, the content industry contributed 126.04 trillion KRW or 6.5% to the country’s GDP, according to its Copyright Overseas Promotion Association. # (Communications and Marketing Office, Intellectual Property Office)
In celebration of this year’s International Coastal Clean-up Day and in observance of the National Cleanup Month, Manila Water joined simultaneous cleanup activities in different parts of Metro Manila last Saturday, 17 September 2022.
Together with volunteers from the public and private sector, employees from Manila Water Foundation, Wastewater Operations, Advocacy and Research Department, Project Management Group, Enterprise Regulatory Affairs Group and 503rd reservists of the Company cleared waste and debris along the coast of Manila Bay and Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in a nationwide cleanup drive organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. According to DENR, the event was attended by 4,000 volunteers and a total of 3,500 sacks of garbage was collected.
In Taguig City, army reservists from Manila Water joined the cleanup drive at Pinagsama Creek.
The Company also brought water tankers and provided water stations for volunteers, with water safe for drinking and handwashing. Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with UNICEF, distributed bottles of alcohol to the attendees.
Protection of water bodies has always been one of the key initiatives of Manila Water’s environmental advocacy, notably – Toka Toka, which is the first and only environmental movement in the country that promotes proper management of wastewater in every household as an important share (or “toka”) in reviving our rivers and waterways. Manila Water, in partnership with local and national government agencies and barangays, conduct tree planting activities, waterway cleanups and desludging caravans.
“This day is a call to action for every one of us to take part in keeping our coasts and beaches clean. We remain steadfast in our commitment to help in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Patuloy kami sa aming Toka na aming naisasagawa sa pakikipagtulungan sa aming mga partners kaya naman lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa DENR, DENR-NCR, LLDA, LWUA at MWSS. (We continue to pitch our part with the able help of our partners, DENR, DENR-NCR, LLDA, LWUA at MWSS, to whom we extend our sincerest gratitude.)” says Jennifer Delos Santos, Head of Manila Water’s Advocacy and Research Department.
Manila Water also joined the series of synchronized waterway cleanup drive organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in partnership with different barangays in Metro Manila. Last 10 September 2022, Manila Water volunteer employees assisted in cleaning the Maytunas Creek in Barangay Addition Hills in San Juan City, and Buhangin Creek in Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City.# (Manila Water Corporate Communications)
The Philippine Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) resolved to allow Information Technology and Business Processing Management or Business Processing Outsourcing (IT-BPM/BPO) firms in economic zones to adopt up to 100% work-from-home (WFH) arrangement and still enjoy tax incentives.
As agreed at the FIRB meeting on September 14, IT-BPM/BPO firms can become eligible for increased WFH setup by shifting their registration from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to the Board of Investments (BOI).
“The procedure for transfer of registration from PEZA to BOI will be seamless – to be carried out expeditiously,” Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual said in a statement. He is co-chair of FIRB and chair of both PEZA and BOI. Secretary Pascual added that the up to 100% WFH scheme would also be available to IT-BPM/BPO firms that will be registered for tax incentives in the future.
The agreed arrangement was one of the options presented by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the FIRB, which is chaired by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.
In recognition of the IT-BPM/BPO sector’s contributions to generating jobs and foreign exchange revenues for the country, Secretary Pascual said, “From the beginning, our priority has been to secure a solution for the sector’s WFH setup, which has become the new normal post-pandemic.”
Registered firms must signify with PEZA their intention to shift registration to the BOI. PEZA will then endorse the request to the BOI for the issuance of a Certificate of Registration, which will indicate the remaining incentives. PEZA shall administer the incentives and continue monitoring the transferee firms’ compliance.
IT-BPM Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President Jack Madrid hailed the decision of the FIRB. “IBPAP enthusiastically welcomes this FIRB resolution and thanks DTI for advocating the WFH scheme as a new business reality, and the FIRB for approving the recommendation. The association and its members vow to work even more closely with the government in bring-in more BPO investments, particularly in the higher value-added segments,” Mr. Madrid said. # (DTI-IDTPG-Board of Investments (BOI)
MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – In efforts to further develop the technical capability of agricultural and biosystems engineers (ABEs), the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) has conducted a five-day refresher course training on testing and evaluation of agricultural and fisheries machinery in Northern Mindanao.
Licensed ABEs from the said region who would be part of the pool of Certified Test Engineers authorized to perform testing and evaluation on agricultural and fisheries machinery have completed the “Refresher Course on Testing & Evaluation of Agricultural & Fisheries Machinery” held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Malaybalay City, Bukidnon from September 5 to 9, 2022.
The crucial role of ABEs in modernizing the agriculture sector as well as the importance of multi-year planning for farm mechanization and infrastructure projects were mentioned by NMACLRC Chief Carlito Lapoot in his welcome remarks. Moving forward, the refresher course would enhance the capability of the participating ABEs to implement the necessary changes to improve the agriculture sector.
DA BAFE emphasized the state policy, as prescribed in RA 10601 or the AFMech Law, to ensure the quality and safety of locally manufactured or imported agri-fisheries machinery. She further elaborated on the need for certifying test engineers, accrediting of testing centers, and certifying agricultural and fisheries machinery.
An overview of DA Department Circular (DC) No. 4 (Accreditation Guidelines for Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery Testing Center) and DC No. 05 series of 2017 as amended by DC No. 10 series of 2018 (National Guidelines on Testing and Evaluation of Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery) was also presented by Engr. Vargas.
Engr. Romulo Eusebio of UPLB AMTEC explained the salience of testing and evaluation in relation to agricultural and fisheries machinery standards. “Standards should be based on the consolidated results of science, technology and experience, and must be aimed at the promotion of optimum community benefits,” he said.
Resource persons from UPLB-AMTEC Engr. Elthon Turtor and Engr. Rhey Marc Albalos lectured on the contents of the Philippine National Standard/Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard (PNS/PAES); operations, specifications and methods of test for corn mill, corn sheller, and disc harrow attached to 4-wheel tractor; and preparation and interpretation of test report.
Seventeen (17) ABEs from local government units (LGUs) in Region X (provincial LGUs of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, city LGUs of Valencia City, Malaybalay City, Gingoog City, and Cagayan de Oro City, and municipal LGU of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental), staff from DA-RFO X Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), and resource speakers from UPLB-AMTEC (Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center) and BAFE-SRED (Standards Regulation and Enforcement Division) were welcomed by NMACLRC Chief Carlito Lapoot (second row, center) during the opening ceremonies.
On September 8, the participants were grouped into three for the preparation of test reports, open forum and presentation of test reports for corn mill, corn sheller, and disc harrow attached to 4-wheel tractor. A written exam for the certification of test engineers was administered in the afternoon. The 60-item written exam constitutes 60% of their final grade.
On the last training day, September 9, the practical examination was facilitated by Engr. Eusebio and Engr. Albalos of UPLB-AMTEC at the front yard of the Organic Agriculture Building at NMACLRC where participants took turns in answering the 40-item exam that is 40% of their final grade for the course.
DA-RFO X stressed the importance of acceptance testing to ensure the quality and durability of of farm machinery procured by the government. # # # (Marshall Louie Asis / DA-BAFE)
Sa paglabas ng Executive Order No. 3 na nagpapahintulot sa publiko ng kusang pagsusuot ng facemasks sa labas bagaman hinihiling ang patuloy na pagpapatupad ng minimum public health standards upang patuloy na makaiwas sa pagkakahawa ng CoViD-19 habang ang bansa ay nasa ilalim pa rin ng public health emergency. Ito ay tumutugma sa panawagan ni WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus na bagamat nakikitaan na ng pagwawakas ng pandemic buong mundo dahil sa naitalang mababang bilang ng Covid -19 infectionS simula March 2020 hiniling pa rin ang pagpapatuloy ng mahigpit na pag-iingat sa sarili kasama na ang maigting na aksyon ng gobyerno sa pagpapatupad ng polisiya lalo na sa hinaharap na panahon.
Kaya naman mahalaga na masiguro na malakas lagi ang ating katawan sa pamamagitan ng pagkain ng masusustansiya, ehersisyo, pagtulog ng sapat at pag-inom ng dekalidad na food supplement tulad ng IMMUNE ADVANCE na gawa ng ROQS International Consumer Health Corp.
Sa panayam sa radyo kay G. Patrick Roquel na isang Medical Technologist at Pangulo ng kumpanya na nagsusuplay ng herbal raw materials sa bansa at gumagawa ng mga food supplements, na ang Immune Advance na kanilang nagawa ay may apat na sangkap: Lagundi, Moringa (Malungay) Zinc at Sodium Ascorbate na may magandang dala sa ating katawan.
Analytical Laboratory Result of Immune Advance
Pagmamalaki ni G. Roquel na siniguro nila na hindi manganganib at magkakaproblema ang kalusugan ng mga iinom ng Immune Advance, kaya sinikap na ipasuri sa Laboratory ang kanilang finish product at lumabas na ang kanyang formula ay umaayon sa pangangailangan ng ating katawan dahil taglay nito ang mga powerful nutrition facts na sapat lang para sa kailangan ng katawan. Kaya ang kanyang rerkomendasyon, uminom ng isang capsule araw-araw para sa ating proteksiyon lalo na sa covid-19.
DWAD Broadcaster Vea Corpuz and RiCHCORP President Patrick D. Roquel during a live interview.
“Gumawa ako ng sariling produkto yung immune advance. Bakit Lagundi, kasi pinag-aralan ng Pilipinas yan, nagkaroon siya ng clinical trial noong kasagsagan ng covid 19 noong December 2020 natapos noong June 2021… kaya noong January 2022 memorandum ng DOH nakalagay na dun ang lagundi irereseta na ng doktor Ang Lagundi based dun sa Phase I study niya, isa siyang anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, broncho-dilator, and hepatoprotective and even anti-cancer. ” – Paliwanag ni Patrick Roquel.
Dagdag pa ni G. Patrick na ang Immune Advance ang natatanging food supplement na sangkap ang Lagundi, Malunggay, Non acidic Vit C na Sodium Ascorbate at Zinc na sa pagsusuri ay nakitaan ang mataas na taglay na Vitamins and Minerals na nagbibigay ng sapat na nutrition at enerhiya ng ating katawan.
Aniya, ang antiviral effect ng Lagundi dahil sa taglay na Vitexin at Quercetin ay mataas ang affinity sa virus na SARS COV2 RNA polymerase at 3Virulence protein kaya napipigilan ang pagdami nito.
Lagundi Vitex Negundo
Taglay ng Vitex negundo (Lagundi) ng antioxidant phenolic compounds at flavonoids tulad ng casticin, chrysoplenol D, luteolin, iso-orientin, at luteolin-7-0-glucoside. Ang iba pang compounds ay epicatechin, quercetin, catechin, myricetin, tocopherol, β-carotene at lycopene ay nakita din sa lagundi leaf extracts. Ang Chrysoplenol D ay nakilala bilang bioactive substance na may anti-histaminergic at muscle relaxant properties na makatutulong para sa ubo at ashtma. Ginagamit ito panglunas ng colds, lagnat, flu, chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis, rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea, at lalo na sa problema sa balat o suliranin sa panunaw. Pangunahin itong kinikilala bilang halamang gamot para sa mga problema sa paghinga.
Samantala ang Malunggay ay nagtataglay naman ng vitamin A, B, C, B1 B3, B6, D3, K, Energy vitamin, Folic Acid, Iron and Zinc.
Nutrition Facts ng Immune Advance
Kaya nang pinasuri ng RiCHCORP ang Immune Advance, nakita ang vitamins at minerals na taglay nito: Vitamin A, C, B1, V3, B6, D3, Folic Acid, Vitamin E, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc at Phosphorus.
Post kidney transplant and CoViD-19 Survivor
Payo ni G. Patrick Roquel, sa kabila ng pagluluwag ng pamahalaan sa paggamit ng facemask, piliin pa rin ang proteksiyunan ang sarili laban sa sakit. “Kung protektado ka na Outside dahil sa pagsusuot ng mask at proper hygiene, Dapat protektado ka rin inside sa paggamit ng Immune Advance araw-araw.” pagtatapos ng isang post kidney transplant at CoViD-19 survivor.
Para sa karagdagang kaalaman o katanungan, bisitahin ang Puno Sagip Buhay at Codemd & Healthy You FB Page.# (Vea Corpuz & Cathy Cruz)
Besides being a label, halal assures that food is high quality, safe, clean, and has high nutritional value. To achieve this, DOST-ITDI continually implements high-impact projects to promote halal research and development in support of DOST’s Halal S&T Program. Among these is a halal audit of processes and processing plants where products are manufactured.
Central to the program is developing the human resource on halal auditing and establishing a cadre of topnotch Halal Auditors through the Lead Auditor Halal Training and Certification Program. This program was pursued in cooperation with the Malaysia Halal Consultation and Training Agency, an affiliate of the International Halal Integrity Alliance. Chosen participants from R&D Institutes and DOST regions attended the training and re-certification in 2019 and 2021, respectively. These activities aimed to upgrade and strengthen their knowledge of the halal food management system to support the increasing demand for halal products in the local market. The halal audit is the first step in preparing a company for halal certification.
The trained DOST-ITDI halal auditors had been practicing and honing their expertise in halal auditing in some companies in the Metro. In April, its Food Processing Division (FPD) and certified halal lead auditors conducted a plant assessment and halal audit at Fenor Foods International Corp. in Caloocan City.
Fenor Foods International Corp. is one of the industry partners of the PCIEERD-GIA-funded project on “Development of Halal Compliant Dehydrated Food Products from Selected Food Materials (Fruits, vegetables, and Root Crops). Fenor manufactures export-quality dried tropical fruits and fish. The company’s owner and founder, Leonor D. Echavez, started the company in 1993 with just adobo and roasted peanuts as the main products. By 2000, Fenor Foods ventured into dried fish processing and exported its products to the United States and Canada.
Through the years, the manufacturing lines of Fenor Foods expanded to dried mango, coconut, cantaloupe, soursop, and other local fruits. They also make flavoring for desserts and fillings for Japanese mochi; according to Echavez, their most recent innovation is their ube powder for cakes.
With their success in food manufacturing and export, Fenor Foods is now gearing up for halal products, which continue to gain an increasing share in local and foreign markets.
Maria Elsa M. Falco, Supervising Science Research Specialist, Project Leader, and Certified Halal Lead Auditor, said, “the plant assessment and halal audit is the first step to prepare the company for halal certification.”
Together with five other DOST-ITDI-certified halal lead auditors, Fenor Foods was audited based on the fundamental requirements of the Halal Assurance Management System (HAS). This initial assessment will prepare them for their eventual halal certification in the future, which will contribute to a globally competitive halal industry in the Philippines.
Other measures have already been implemented to support the DOST Halal S&T Program, such as establishing halal processing facilities. In 2019, the Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center was opened in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. The center is envisioned as a “one-stop shop” for developing halal-certified products compliant with international standards and requirements. DOST-ITDI’s Halal Food R&D Facility in Taguig followed and was inaugurated in the same year.
Most recently, “our team had established HAS or Halal Assurance System for processing various products like bananas as chips, catsup, and frozen saba and is now available for adoption by processors,” Falco said. Similarly, also developed is a generic HAS manual for selected food ingredients, such as onion, garlic, black pepper, and chili. It also listed tests for the halalness of those ingredients, including physicochemical analysis for parameters such as moisture, water activity, Scoville heat test, pH, and porcine detection. Likewise, a Halal Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HHACCP) plan for these selected food ingredients was designed.
Thus, a bigger and more competitive halal-driven market is in the works with these halal interventions that are all STI (science, technology, and innovation) – based and strong partnerships with the local industry/manufacturers. (MVAtienza, DOST-ITD S&T Media Service)
TUKLASIN NATIN 
You must be logged in to post a comment.