OPA Negros Occidental promotes Christmas recipes for extra income

By Vishia Mae Dominic J Tolcidas

RACG Representative

FITS OPA Negros Occidental

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in Negros Occidental has been leading trainings on how to prepare breakfast, snacks and Christmas recipes for extra income.

Facilitated by its Home Management and Nutrition Division at the OPA Demo Farm at the back of the Provincial Capitol Building in Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, these livelihood trainings support the Food Security Program of NEGROS FIRST, the priority development agenda of the Provincial Government under Gov. Alfredo Maranon, Jr. and Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez, Jr.

“Housewives, rural women and self-employed individuals can work on these easy-to-prepare recipes and sell them in time for Christmas,” said Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Ma. Teena Acebedo.

Carmencita Rodriguez, a pharmacist from Hinigaran, said she read about the OPA food processing training from a local newspaper and got interested in trying the recipes. The pharmacist cooked fish tocino she learned from the training and said her family liked it. She was happy that this training to start a business was held and she plans to attend next time.

“I liked the taste of quick ham,” said Connie Secaluya, employee of the Provincial Budget Office. She attended the training because she plans to venture into food processing when she retires next year.

Organic advocate Marcelina Alipis of Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City said OPA taught how to make pork tocino without using preservatives like monosodium glutamate.

Lilibeth Miñoza, Mildred Saul and Eva Lobaton of the Negrosanon for Economic Development Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Old Sagay, Sagay City were interested in fish cracker-making as another income-generating project. Miñoza said their coop is already into fish trading, and late last year, they started on nata de coco-making and mushroom culture, livelihood ventures they learned from OPA Agricultural Productivity Division.

OPA hosted Vegetables Pickling and Salted Egg Making on November 22; Candle, and will conduct Soap Dishwashing Liquid Making on December 6; and Malunggay Polvoron and Instant Salabat Making on December 13. The trainings are held on Mondays at 1:30 P.M.

For inquiries, please visit OPA at the Second Floor of the Provincial Administration Center, Aguinaldo Street-North Capitol Road in Bacolod City or call (036) 708-0975.