Information and news about the USAID Growth with Equity in Mindanao III (GEM 3) Project

Leslie A. Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy (4th from right) presented certificates of HACCP compliance to Mindanao food processors accredited by TUV-SUD Philippines, Inc., an internationally recognized certifying firm, at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental. Representing the four HACCP-compliant companies are: (l-r) Aldrick Fernandez, assistant marketing manager of KF Nutri Foods International Inc.; Hayley Kathleen Yu, president of Amley Food Corp.; Amy Chua, Amley operations manager; and (to the right of Ms. Bassett) Ferdinand Maranon, president of Sagrex Foods Inc., Contessa Factura, quality assurance officer of Boom Marine Corp., and Wilson Amad, Boom Marine manager. With them are (4th and 5th from left) TUV-SUD marketing manager Haya Amper and Robert Barnes, Economic Growth Advisor of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which helped the four firms to acquire HACCP certification through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, implemented under the oversight of MEDCo.