Castillo said they already have set criteria for accreditation for two sectors, agriculture and processed food products.
In the agriculture sector, the product must be grown in the Davao region and currently registered with the appropriate government agencies such as Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, Business Bureau, the Cooperative Development Authority.
The product must be aligned with good agricultural practices as specified by the Department of Agriculture and must meet the packaging requirements of PROPEL Davao of DCCCII/SMED Council. It must meet the requirement of the Philippine National Standards of DTI for fruits and flowers. Must also be referred by a government agency, or an industry association and others.
Specific products along the agriculture sector are mango, coconut, durian, pomelo, banana, meat (pork, chicken, beef and fish), and cutflowers.
Products that will be included under the processed food products are banana chips, mango juice, coconut-based products, durian processed products, processed meat products, processed vegetables, hand painted novelty items, and virgin coconut oil.
Castillo said for the processed food products they have set criteria that applies to Philippine market namely processed in Davao, currently registered with either DTI, SEC, Business Bureau or CDA, registered with the Bureau of Food and Drug and must be referred by a government agency or industry association. It should also meet requirements of the Philippine Standards of DTI for processed food and meets packaging and labeling requirements of PROPEL Davao of the DCCCII or SMED Council.
However she said that when these products are marketed internationally, it must have Hazard and Critical Control Points certification and must comply with specifications of target markets like Halal/Kosher, etc.
She said going into the process would allow products better marketability. Access to financing is also of great benefit for those producers with accredited products.
Castillo meanwhile said that engaging into such procedure would heighten the aspiration of local producers for product quality and excellence and make producers appreciate and adopt a local branding system as a viable tool in expanding their product and market reach.
Among others the Proudly Davao brand will instill a sense of pride and identity among the local Davao population of the quality of their products, she added. (PIA XI/prixdbanzon)
