CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) – In an initiative to help female entrepreneurs in Santiago City in Isabela, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a specialized training for them on fruit and vegetable processing, focusing on tomatoes.
The training gathered 30 female entrepreneurs, including officers and members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) and local cooperatives.
With the peak tomato harvest season underway, the training was meant to equip participants with essential skills in tomato processing to enable them to create value-added products from abundant fresh produce.
Shaynne Cecille Arao, supervising trade and industry development specialist, led the session, teaching the participants how to produce a variety of tomato-based products, including tomato jam, pasta sauce, catsup, and juice.
“These skills not only help preserve the harvest but also offer opportunities for women entrepreneurs to tap into new markets by turning raw tomatoes into in-demand, marketable goods,” she said.
Arao highlighted the importance of continued support and commitment to utilizing the Shared Service Facility provided by the DTI.
She emphasized that maximizing the use of the facility would ensure the long-term success of the projects launched from the training.
Arao also said the training is part of the ongoing efforts of DTI to boost local entrepreneurship, enhance agricultural productivity, and empower women in the region.
Arcelie Umipig, RIC coordinator and representative from the City Agriculture Office, also expressed the local government’s strong support for agricultural development.
She emphasized the significant role of women in agriculture, particularly in increasing food production and ensuring sustainability.
According to Umipig, women have consistently contributed to the advancement of agricultural initiatives in the city, making them key players in the success of these programs. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela)
