MUNTINLUPA CITY, Philippines — A women-led food processing hub in Muntinlupa City has received a significant modernization upgrade worth ₱4 million, aimed at strengthening livelihood opportunities, improving food production standards, and empowering local women entrepreneurs.
The project was made possible through a partnership between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Muntinlupa City government. The DA provided ₱2.5 million through its KADIWA Financial Grant Assistance Program, while the local government contributed ₱1.5 million to complete the facility’s improvement.
The funding was used to upgrade the Muntinlupa Training and Resource Center for Women (MTRCW), a facility that supports women-led groups engaged in food production and processing.
With the modernization, the food hub now features improved equipment for meat and fish processing, enabling entrepreneurs to produce value-added food products such as tapa, tocino, longganisa, and bangus with better efficiency and quality standards.
Officials said the upgraded facility will help increase production capacity while ensuring that food products meet proper safety and regulatory standards. The improvements are also expected to help women-led cooperatives expand their businesses and access broader markets.
Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the initiative goes beyond providing equipment, emphasizing that the program is designed to empower women and support community-based enterprises.
She noted that the project is a step toward strengthening income opportunities for women while contributing to local food security and economic growth.
Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon welcomed the partnership, highlighting the importance of programs that support women entrepreneurs and small businesses in the city.
Local officials believe the upgraded food hub will serve as an important platform for developing sustainable livelihood programs and encouraging more women to participate in entrepreneurship.
The modernization initiative also highlights the role of women in strengthening the local food sector and promoting inclusive economic growth in communities.
