In support to the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program, training on Meat Processing with Good Manufacturing Practices for Benguet held on March 19-21, 2025 at Meat Processing Center, Longlong, Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet to 27 INSPIRE beneficiaries.
Discussed during the training were: principles of meat processing, the characteristics of meat, common meat processing techniques and good manufacturing practices. The lecture and demonstrations (with returned demo) focused on pork tocino, Japanese siomai, longganisa, kini-ing, tapa, and embutido. Added demonstrations on chicken slaughtering/dressing and deboning were also done. The training also covered topics on packaging, labelling, and pricing, including the mandatory requirements for food labels and the Return on Investment.
Ms. Maura S. Garoy of Bahong Rural Improvement Club expressed that the training has been incredibly helpful as it not only emphasizes the importance of meat processing but also highlights the significant benefits of creating our own products that are free from harmful ingredients. The training has taught us that instead of relying on commercially produced items, which may contain preservatives, additives, and unhealthy ingredients, we can make our own nutritious and safe alternatives. This empowers us to create healthier meals for our families, particularly for our children, whose health and well-being are a top priority. By producing our own food products, we not only improve the quality of what we consume but also support our local economies and contribute to more sustainable practices”.
Furthermore, Ms. Jocelyn E. Pablo, a member of the Tabano-Omang Livelihood Project Organization, thanked the Center for considering them to be part of the training. She said that the training is truly beneficial to them, as it has introduced new and innovative ways to process meat into products such as longganisa, embotido, siomai, tapa, and more. “These new skills and knowledge will allow us to diversify our products, which is vital for expanding our business and maximizing the value of the meat we produce,” she concluded.
INSPIRE (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion) is an initiative project under the National Livestock Program (NLP) of the Department of Agriculture. The program focused on the recovery and repopulation program for the hog industry, given the ASF problem.
