Under the visionary leadership of Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, PhD, the Department of Science and Technology Region XII (DOST XII) Food Safety Team, in active collaboration with the Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-RTC XII), successfully conducted the “Training of Trainers on Cacao Post-Harvest Management, Processing, and Marketing” on May 19, 2026, at Belo Hall, ATI-RTC XII, San Felipe, Tantangan, South Cotabato.

The intensive training gathered key agricultural frontline workers and stakeholders from MAFAR BARMM, LGU-Midsayap, LGU-Kidapawan, LGU-Carmen, LGU-Kapalawan SGA BARMM, LGU-Makilala, LGU-Lake Sebu, LGU-Banisilan, LGU-Matalam, LGU-General Santos City, and LGU-Maasim, alongside local cacao farmers.

A major highlight of the activity was the comprehensive technical session led by Ms. Maritzu P. Salipada-Sinolinding, RCh, MFSM, the Food Safety Team Leader of DOST XII. Ms. Sinolinding mastered a critical deep-dive into the “Introduction to Food Safety and Sanitation” and “Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)” tailored directly for cacao processing. Her discussion highlighted the science behind proper food handling, rigorous sanitation, and strict quality assurance parameters required to transition local cacao into safe, premium-grade, and export-ready commodities.

Through this collaborative “Training of Trainers” model championed by Dir. Malawan, DOST XII intends to create a powerful multiplier effect. By arming Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) with rigid scientific methodologies, they are fully empowered to cascade these modern, compliant processing practices directly to grassroots farming communities across the region.

This science-driven approach ensures that our local chocolate and cacao products don’t just capture markets locally but confidently meet world-class food safety regulations.

Under the visionary leadership of Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, PhD, the Department of Science and Technology Region XII (DOST XII) Food Safety Team, in active collaboration with the Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-RTC XII), successfully conducted the “Training of Trainers on Cacao Post-Harvest Management, Processing, and Marketing” on May 19, 2026, at Belo Hall, ATI-RTC XII, San Felipe, Tantangan, South Cotabato.

The intensive training gathered key agricultural frontline workers and stakeholders from MAFAR BARMM, LGU-Midsayap, LGU-Kidapawan, LGU-Carmen, LGU-Kapalawan SGA BARMM, LGU-Makilala, LGU-Lake Sebu, LGU-Banisilan, LGU-Matalam, LGU-General Santos City, and LGU-Maasim, alongside local cacao farmers.

A major highlight of the activity was the comprehensive technical session led by Ms. Maritzu P. Salipada-Sinolinding, RCh, MFSM, the Food Safety Team Leader of DOST XII. Ms. Sinolinding mastered a critical deep-dive into the “Introduction to Food Safety and Sanitation” and “Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)” tailored directly for cacao processing. Her discussion highlighted the science behind proper food handling, rigorous sanitation, and strict quality assurance parameters required to transition local cacao into safe, premium-grade, and export-ready commodities.

Through this collaborative “Training of Trainers” model championed by Dir. Malawan, DOST XII intends to create a powerful multiplier effect. By arming Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) with rigid scientific methodologies, they are fully empowered to cascade these modern, compliant processing practices directly to grassroots farming communities across the region.

This science-driven approach ensures that our local chocolate and cacao products don’t just capture markets locally but confidently meet world-class food safety regulations.