Islas de Gigantes resort owners and workers urged to espouse food safety practices

The participants take pride of their certificates in the recently concluded Food Safety Seminar.

In a bid to bolster food safety awareness in Islas de Gigantes, some resort owners and workers gather in a Food Safety Seminar with emphasis on the importance, concepts and good practices in food hygienic preparation based on recognized food safety standards.

The seminar covers the following topics: Introduction to Food Safety, Symptoms of Foodborne Disease, What are Microorganisms?, Where do Microorganisms live?, How do Microorganisms move? What do Bacteria need to grow?, Chemicals should not be Forgotten and Five Keys to Safer Foods.

DOST VI Senior Science Research Specialist Paula Huelar shares that keeping the food safe involves keeping it clean, separating raw from cooked, cooking food thoroughly, keeping food at a safe temperature, and using safe water and raw materials.  In addition to the seminar, the team also holds site visits in food preparation areas of at least two (2) resorts.

Senior Science Research Specialist Paula Huelar (third from the right) trains the participants on proper personal hygiene. The seminar is part of the CEST Project implemented at Islas de Gigantes.

Conducted by Department of Science and Technology (DOST VI), the technical assistance on food safety forms part of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program aimed to empower the poorest and most depressed communities in the country, through S&T interventions. These S&T interventions also come in these categories: health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, livelihood/economic enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. There are selected communities that undergo an assessment to determine the appropriate and timely package of S&T related intervention that would improve its people’s way of life.

Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology Center Director Engr. Sheila Oberio notes that Islas de Gigantes, being a home to tourist hot spots needs to be harnessed in pursuit of local sustainable economic development, effective habitat management for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

In Western Visayas, three (3) municipalities are covered with the CEST program. These are Libacao, Aklan; Anini-y, Antique; and Buenavista, Guimaras.