Training on food safety awareness raises Cordova fisherfolks for quality of fish, seafoods

CORDOVA, Cebu – Food Safety Awareness Training organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), in collaboration with the AFOS Foundation through its FISH Visayas Project in August this year to raise the level of awareness, uplift and fortify the seafood industry in coastal Cebu, particularly in Cordova, where there is an abundance of fish and seafood products.

Some 80 members of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from Cordova’s market vendors and fisherfolk attended the training workshop focusing on the essential techniques and standards vital for safe and hygienic food handling.

AFOS Foundation through the FISH Visayas project recognizes the pressing need to enhance the skills and capabilities of market and industry participants to ensure that those in the fish and food industry can consistently deliver fresh and safe products to consumers.

AFOS said, the program not only strives to elevate the quality of seafood but also nurtures trust within the broader market ecosystem. In an ever-evolving market landscape, local players must adapt to new business paradigms to avoid losses from surplus and remain competitive.

To equip these stakeholders with the essential skills and knowledge, FISH Visayas paves the way for their growth and sustainability, AFOS added.

Dr. Jose Elli, an expert in food processing, led the Food Safety Training, provided a comprehensive understanding of hygiene standards and preservation techniques, which can extend the shelf life of seafood products that can benefit not only consumers but the industry stakeholders by reducing waste and ensuring product quality.

The FISH Visayas Project

The AFOS Foundation - Philippines through its FISH Visayas project is funded by the German Government since 2019 with more than Php 250 million to improve the income situation of fisherfolk and their families through sustainable value chains.  The project is also implemented in Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

German Ambassador, Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke is on his first visit to Cebu, visited a fishing community in Cordova to see first-hand the developments of the project in the site.  AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation also had a dialogue with FISH Visayas Project Partners & People’s Organizations/Fisherfolk Beneficiaries at Cordova, Cebu to enhance cooperation among the various stakeholders in the fisheries sector.

The 𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 aims to increase and make sustainable incomes for the fisherfolk and MSMEs not only in Fisheries but also in Food-related Value Chains in Central Visayas, Philippines.

To know more about the FISH Visayas Project and their upcoming seminar and trainings, please contact Karen Joy Autor (09996111506 / karen@cebuchamber.org) and Tanya Arnie Uy (09065022657 / tanya@cebuchamber.org). (Photos: CCCI/AFOS FB)