KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – A total of 150 food stall owners attended the food safety and handling, solid waste management, fire safety, and security orientation in preparation for the T’nalak Festival and the 60th Founding Anniversary of the Province of South Cotabato, held at the Capitol Compound, recently.
The orientation aimed to ensure that all participating food vendors are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain food safety standards, proper waste management practices, and public safety measures throughout the weeklong celebration.
The activity opened with a welcome message from Rudy S. Jimenea, Provincial Information Officer and Festival Director of the 2026 T’nalak Festival. He emphasized the important role of food vendors in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for festival goers.
“The success of the T’nalak Festival does not only depend on the organizers but also on our food stall owners who serve thousands of visitors. Through this orientation, we aim to promote safety, cleanliness, and responsible service for everyone’s welfare,” Jimenea said.
The Food Safety and Handling session was conducted by Maritzu S. Sinolinding of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XII. She discussed proper food preparation, sanitation, storage, and handling procedures to prevent food-borne illnesses and protect consumers.
“Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. By following proper food handling practices, vendors can help ensure that every food served during the festival is safe, hygienic, and of good quality,” Sinolinding said during her presentation.
Meanwhile, Michelle Q. Barroso, owner of Margot’s Grill and Resto—one of the establishments participating in this year’s T’nalak Food Garden—expressed her appreciation for the provincial government’s proactive measures in ensuring public welfare.
“As a food stall owner, joining the food safety orientation was incredibly valuable because it doesn’t just protect our customers, it also protects our businesses. With the influx of local and international tourists expected this T’nalak Festival, we want to make sure that while we showcase the best flavors of South Cotabato, we are also strictly upholding the highest standards of sanitation and food preparation. We thank the province for guiding us so we can serve both clean and delicious food,” Barroso said.
The Solid Waste Management orientation was facilitated by Jobie P. De Jesus of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Engr. Abril Ma. A. Lebanan of the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).
Officials from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region XII and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region XII also led discussions on fire safety and security protocols, providing reminders and guidelines to help maintain peace, order, and public safety throughout the celebration.
The orientation highlighted the province’s commitment to ensuring a safe, clean, and successful T’nalak Festival and the celebration of South Cotabato’s 60th Founding Anniversary.
