Antique: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will unveil one new shared service facility and enhance two existing facilities, benefiting three farmers' associations in Antique, before the year ends. DTI Antique Provincial Director Mary Jade Gonzales announced that the Regional Technical Committee (RTC) approved PHP8.4 million for the three projects on September 8.

According to Philippines News Agency, the committee, which includes the Department of Science and Technology, DTI, and a private sector representative, approved the proposed shared service facility for meat processing for the Sibalom Livestock and Poultry-Raisers Association (SILPRA), amounting to PHP2.99 million. Additionally, enhancements worth PHP2.99 million for Dairy Milk Processing and Packaging by the Belison Multi-Purpose Cooperative and PHP2.4 million for Animal and Livestock Feed Production by the Patnongon Multi-Purpose Cooperative received the green light.

The existing shared service facilities will install solar panels to reduce electricity consumption during operations. SILPRA, where the new shared service facility will be implemented, requested the necessary equipment. Elma Pe±a, president of SILPRA, stated that they had sought the facility to process poultry and meat products into longganisa and other food items. SILPRA has 871 farmer-members involved in raising chickens and meat processing.

Pe±a mentioned that through the shared service facility, they have requested equipment such as a vacuum cleaner, meat mixer, hamburger machine, and more for meat processing. DTI Antique will conduct the bidding for the procurement of the equipment in the coming days.