The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – MIMAROPA, in collaboration with the DTI Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), launched the 2025 run of the Food Connect Program to capacitate more entrepreneurs in securing the License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Food Connect Program is a training package of the DTI-PTTC that assists micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) functioning as Food Business Operators in acquiring mandatory regulatory requirements from the Philippine FDA. The program comprises two courses: Course 1, FDA-LTO registration, and Course 2, FDA-CPR registration.

In 2025, 28 MSMEs registered for Course 1, which commenced on Monday, 31 March, and 25 enrolled for Course 2. The virtual opening session for Course 1 was attended by DTI MIMAROPA Regional Director (RD) EnP. Amormio CJS Benter, CESE, DTI-PTTC Officer-in-Charge Fe Avila, participating MSMEs, and other representatives from the DTI MIMAROPA and DTI PTTC.

The culmination for Course 1, covering the three tracks, is in the first week of May, while course 2 is set to take place from 13 to 16 of May.

Course 1 of the program covers the requirements for FDA-LTO. It is comprised of 3 tracks: Track 1 – Awareness of Food Safety, Current Good Manufacturing Practice, and Philippine FDA-License to Operate documentary requirements; Track 2 – Documentation and Establishment of Safety/Quality Management Systems, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures; and Track 3 – Compliance with Philippine FDA-License to Operate documentary requirements, Philippine Labeling Requirements, and Food Recall. Meanwhile, Course 2 includes Shelf-Life Determination, Product and Process Standardization, and compliance with FDA-CPR documentary requirements.

Each track also includes one-on-one consultations, product testing and interpretation, and mentoring sessions.

The program is fundamental to various United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly, SDG 1: End poverty, SDG 2: End hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, and SDG 12: Sustainable consumptions and production.

During his welcoming remarks, RD Benter emphasized DTI MIMAROPA’s commitment to providing assistance to One Town, One Product Program-assisted MSMEs to thrive in competitive markets through stronger food safety systems.

Since its last run in 2023, the regional run of the Food Connect Program in MIMAROPA has already assisted five MSMEs in securing their FDA-LTO, and two MSMEs have acquired the FDA-CPR for their products. ♦

Date of Release: 31 March 2025

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