OIC Provincial Director Henry O. Conel, Jr., (rear left) conducts an initial site inspection of the proposed Food Processing Center of Tam-An Cooperative. With him were DC Alberto D. Pamatian and Mr. Roel P. Dolaypan Jr.(not in photo).

BAYOMBONG – The Tam-An Cooperative in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Office is proposing to establish a Multi Food Processing Center and Pasalubong Store in Nueva Vizcaya with the aim of creating a distinct Vizcayano product and generating more jobs in the province.

The Project will start in the third quarter of 2018 and the proposed business model includes priority industry clusters such as coffee, pineapple, and mango.

As part of the pre-investment phase, the DTI Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Office conducted an enterprise assessment on January 12, 2018 at the Tam-An Cooperative project site, Magsaysay, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

OIC Provincial Director Henry O. Conel Jr., Division Chief Alberto D. Pamatian and Mr. Roel P. Dolaypan Jr. of DTI Nueva Vizcaya conducted an initial site inspection of the existing building and advised the cooperative to undergo a consultation with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to verify the compliance of their existing processing center.

On January 25, 2018, Tam-An Cooperative together with DTI Nueva Vizcaya conducted a benchmarking activity to Lighthouse Cooperative’s Chicharabao processing center. They also visited the FDA office for consultation, both located in Tuguegarao City.

The benchmarking activity aims to facilitate their registration process as required by FDA and verify the standard food processing center layout. This activity provided an avenue for the improvement of their proposed business model.

DC Pamatian said, “Importante na malaman natin ang standard o compliant na layout ng processing center na naaayon sa FDA.” He further emphasized the importance of the supply chain management in their processed food business venture.

OIC PD Conel, Jr. underscored the importance of cooperatives in promoting economic development in the province. He further stressed that the MSMEs like the Tam-An Cooperative should be nurtured in accordance with the four pillars of SME Development.

Tam-An Cooperative is now preparing for the establishment of the NEW proposed processing center cum pasalubong center. One of the pipelined activities of the cooperative are raw materials sourcing, market testing and product development. DTI Nueva Vizcaya will continue to support Tam-Am Cooperative’s business endeavor in the province.♦