BATARAZA, PALAWAN – Twenty-two coconut farmers from the municipalities of Rizal and Bataraza, Palawan, enhanced their knowledge and skills in producing safe, high-quality copra during the Training on Good Quality Copra: Mitigating Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) Contamination on June 8–12, 2026, at Bonsay Agricultural Farm, Barangay Inogbong, Bataraza, Palawan.
During the opening program, Mr. Jerome M. Genilan, OIC–Municipal Agriculturist of Bataraza, highlighted the significance of the training in improving the quality and safety of copra produced in the municipality. He encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills they gained from the training and to become advocates of quality copra production in their respective communities.
Conducted in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Palawan, the training focused on lecture-discussions on the sources, risks, and preventive measures related to MOSH-MOAH contamination in copra production and processing.
Participants learned the importance of implementing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP), particularly the use of clean and properly maintained drying facilities, appropriate storage systems, and food-grade materials for packaging and transportation.
They also gained practical knowledge of quality assurance standards and contamination control measures through hands-on activities, which they can apply in their farms and copra processing operations.
Mr. Rommel F. Fababaer, Agriculturist II of PCA–Palawan, and Ms. Charlot G. Magsino, Technical Support Staff of ATI–MIMAROPA, facilitated the training and served as resource persons during the lecture sessions and workshops.
Ms. Rutheda M. Bacosa, one of the participants, shared that the training not only provided her with new knowledge but also gave her greater confidence in applying proper practices to produce high-quality copra.
“Napakalaking tulong po ng pagsasanay na ito sa aming mga coconut farmer. Bilang isang retiradong guro na ngayon ay nagsasaka, mas lumawak ang aking kaalaman sa tamang paghawak, pagproseso, at pagpapatuyo ng kopra upang makaiwas sa kontaminasyon at makagawa ng de-kalidad na produkto. Mas naunawaan ko rin ang kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa mga pamantayan sa kalidad upang maging ligtas at mas mabenta ang aming mga produkto,” she said .
