Cebu City - A total of 21 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from various provinces in Central Visayas have completed the Training on Good Hygienic Slaughtering Practices (GHSP) held last April 22–24, 2025, at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, this city.

The three-day training was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 7 (ATI-RTC 7) in partnership with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) - Region 7, which provided a pool of technical experts for the sessions.

The training aimed to enhance the participants' competencies in ensuring safe and hygienic meat processing practices at the local level. Among the key learnings were: a) Application requirements for meat inspectors, meat butchers, and handlers, b) Proper procedures in ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections, c) Identification of diseases and conditions that require meat condemnation, d) The role of personal hygiene and sanitation in meat handling, transport, and delivery and f) Effective record keeping and implementation of monitoring and evaluation protocols.

According to Ms. Jessa P. Maglangit, Development Management Officer I and Project Officer, participants are expected to replicate and implement what they learned in their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) through capability-building initiatives and enhanced meat inspection protocols.

“Ensuring food safety starts at the grassroots. Through this training, our AEWs are now better equipped to safeguard public health by promoting hygienic meat handling practices,” said Maglangit.

Ms. Danelyn Enero served as the Training Support Staff throughout the activity.

This initiative forms part of ATI-7’s continuous effort to promote food safety, strengthen extension services, and build the capacity of agriculture stakeholders across the region.