MAKATI CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) MIMAROPA Region partnered with the DTI Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in aiding micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to comply with the mandatory regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Labelled as the “Food Connect Program”, the 2023 run of this initiative is divided into three tracks; Track 1 ((Awareness on Food Safety, cGMP, and Philippine FDA – License to Operate (LTO) Documentary Requirements)), Track 2 ((Documentation / Establishment of Safety/Quality Management System: GMP & lts lmplementation Plan (SSOP)), and Track 3 (Compliance to Philippine FDA License to Operate Documentary Requirements), and shall capacitate 27 food-MSMEs from across the MIMAROPA Region.
The program commenced on Tuesday, October 03, 2023, via the Zoom application. DTI MIMAROPA OIC Regional Director Rodolfo Mariposque and DTI PTTC Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera graced the aforementioned session to personally welcome the participants to the intensive program, which will run from October to November 2023.
In 2022, around 40 entrepreneurs completed the same virtual program. Out of this batch, three have already obtained both an FDA LTO and an FDA Certificate of Product Registration, while the remaining entrepreneurs are currently in the process of acquiring these certifications.
The participating MSMEs are anticipated to meet the essential documentation prerequisites aligned with internationally recognized standards, enabling them to become prepared for the market and exportation. ♦
Date of release: 10 October 2023
