To help build back better livelihood opportunities for communities in the provinces and drive the economy back to its feet after the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology Region I conducted training on chicken meat processing for the Palisoc Women’s Association (PWA) of Barangay Palisoc, Bautista, Pangasinan on July 22, 2022.
The DOST- Provincial S&T Center in Pangasinan organized the training as part of the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology or CEST, one of the DOST’s flagship programs to empower micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly in the regions.
As a follow-through effort to further develop the skills of the PWA members, the training provided its members with skills on proper handling and accurate methods to process pork meat products such as pork tocino, pork longganisa, siomai, and embotido that are now marketed in the barangay. Three (3) processed chicken meat products will be added to their products such as chicken tocino, chicken longganisa, and chicken nuggets to further enhance their market potential.
There were 12 members trained in curing and processing chicken meat. Imelda P. Soriano, trainer, and owner of Chatita’s Food Products, reminded the participants about the steps in food safety. “We must always follow proper handling, preparation, and storage of our processed meat products especially we are dealing with food,” Soriano emphasized.
The participants were also trained on the preparation of tools needed for the process, washing and deboning the chicken meat, and measuring the ingredients for each recipe.
Several equipment like meat grinder, food processor, mixing bowls, and impulse sealer were awarded and used during the training. Ana Marie Abaya, the newly elected president of PWA, shared, “thank you for choosing us (association), we will take this opportunity to grow our business.”
Currently, the association has 23 active members. They have been producing meat products after completing their training last year and affirms their commitment to sustaining the CEST program’s advocacy to empower the women in the community.
