BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 8 (PIA) - With the intent to intensify the Caraga Food Safe Campaign in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Winrock International - Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) have joined efforts and were able to maximize the use of its existing platforms to effectively communicate food safety to all Caraganons.

The DOST, Winrock and PIA Caraga had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Caraga Food Safe Campaign.

DOST Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga reiterated that the said campaign is aimed to advocate food safety among processing and food service enterprises, and among consumers; and to develop or improve the food safety practices and behavior of food handlers and consumers.

Mallonga bared that relevant information on food safety will be coming from their office, in collaboration with the Caraga Food Safety Team, and other concerned agencies. She emphasized that PIA is the lead agency in the dissemination and promotion of information to the general public through its known platforms.

"We believe that PIA is best in communicating this campaign to the different provinces through its Information Center Managers. PIA also works well and harmoniously with the media in the region and we want this strengthened. We are optimistic that PIA and media can effectively help us bring our campaign on food safety to its listeners, viewers that will also effect change in the people's daily routine of preparing food," Mallonga underlined.

PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga will lead the crafting of the one-year communication plan indicating significant activities to be conducted in line with the implementation of the Caraga Food Safe Campaign.

"We have been innovating and discovering other means on how we can reach more people in the grassroots. Also, we have been maximizing our existing platforms in communicating the Caraga Food Safe Campaign since the day it was launched in the region - from our textblast, press and photo releases, national and regional websites, Caraga in Focus electronic news magazine, and our online streaming Advance Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network, and constant collaboration with our media partners," elaborated Caga.

Also, Dan Gudahl, chief of party of Winrock International assured that they will fully support PIA and its partners in the implementation of this campaign. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)