About 100 micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in Ilocos Norte who are into food manufacturing and processing attended on Wednesday a seminar on food safety with emphasis on good manufacturing practices.

On Thursday, the participants will be attending another seminar, this time on bookkeeping and financial literacy.

While the seminar is not new to her, Agnes Asuncion, a fruit winemaker of Barangay Pias Sur, Currimao, Ilocos Norte, told the Philippine News Agency that learning never stops.

“There is always something new to learn and it is something I look forward to,” Asuncion said as she joined participants at the Capitol Auditorium.

Hosted by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Elma Gabriel, head of the Small and Medium Enterprise Office under the provincial government, said the seminar aims “to protect consumers and to ensure food handlers are aware of the basic know-how on handling food business and how to manage their finances.”

After the series of lectures, the participants will undergo a paper and pencil examination before they will be given their certificates of completion.

Gabriel said the participants who will finish the two-day seminar will be given a chance to join government-organized trade fairs and exhibits, including those being conducted outside the province, in La Union and in Quezon City.

The provincial government has a memorandum of agreement with La Union and Quezon City on tourism exchange and product promotion. (PNA)