Butuan City, Agusan del Norte — On July 1 to 3, 2026, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the DENR-UNDP/GEF Biodiversity Corridor Project- Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC), officially commenced its benchmarking and technical training on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Product Development. The activity brought together a total of thirty (30) representatives (10 males and 20 females) from Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises (BDFEs) managed by IPOs/POs across the Caraga region. The training focused intensively on food manufacturing standards and GMP for five (5) BDFE IPOs/POs – the Manhon Agriculture Cooperative (MACO), Indigenous People -Local Researchers of Agusan Marsh Sectoral Association (IP-LORAMSECA), MAIPA Agriventures Inc., Hinapuyan Farmers Cooperative, and Barangay Coleto Bislig Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BACOCOFACO) – that are actively developing food products from major agro-forestry commodities like coffee, cacao, and coconut, including indigenous wild fruits such as katmon and libas. Three more organizations participated in the session – the Berseba Women’s Association, San Juan United Tribes Planters Association, and Sinai Abaca Weavers and Farmers Association bringing their local products for product development strategies.
The three-day learning initiative opened with a benchmarking site visit to Deseo Food Products in Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR), Agusan del Norte. During the visit, Ms. Maribeth A. Ranoa, owner of Deseo Food Products, led the participants through a deep dive into actual facility operations and standard compliance protocols. In her discussion on strict quality control and sanitary operations, she emphasized a core philosophy that resonated deeply with the trainees: “It cannot be called food if it is not safe.”
Another benchmarking was conducted in the Simbalan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (SIFACO) in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. This visit highlighted the cooperative’s inspiring institutional journey, serving as a real-world case study on how a community-based enterprise can build a stable, competitive, and continuously growing operation when anchored by strong internal leadership and transparent management practices. The exposure of these IPOs/POs to established and thriving enterprises deeply inspired them, fueling a shared determination to standardize their own operations despite the hurdles ahead.
The technical lecture series commenced on July 2 to 3, with the resource persons from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office – Agusan del Norte tackled various topics such as Introduction to GMP, Improving Pricing and Costing, and Packaging and Labelling. The sessions will deepen the participants’ understanding of GMP and product development, providing practical guidance on regulatory compliance, food safety documentation, and advanced product development. Moreover, the final day featured hands-on product development led by Professional Food Technologist Ms. Valentina Kristy Fabe from Caraga State University Food Innovation Centre, she conducted intensive product evaluations, assessing the shelf-life, formulation, and packaging viability of the items brought by the organizations. Ms. Fabe provided specific technical recommendations to refine processing methods and upgrade the overall quality control of the local goods. Moreover, Mr. Jason C. Balacuit, proprietor of JCB Express Solutions and operator of the OTOP PH Hub Caraga, conducted comprehensive product reviews, shared valuable insights on strategic product development and branding to build strong, competitive agribusiness identities that can stand out in mainstream consumer markets.
The participants collectively expressed by saying, “Daghan kaayo mig nakat-unan sa benchmarking, na-challenge mi sa among organization para makab-ot pod ang paglambo sa among negosyo bisag layo pa jud kaayo kami.” (We learned so much from the benchmarking; we feel challenged as an organization to achieve growth in our business, even though we know we still have a very long way to go).
By merging strict production standards with a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, these local organizations are proving that economic growth while actively fostering non-destructive, sustainable land use within biological corridors.
This story is published under the DENR-UNDP/GEF Project “Integrated Approach in the Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines” or BD Corridor Project, which seeks to operationalize integrated management of biodiversity corridors to generate multiple benefits, including effective conservation of globally threatened species and high conservation value forests, reduce deforestation and degradation, and enhance local biodiversity-friendly livelihoods.
The project is implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Global Environment Facility. 🐾🌳
