BAGUIO City Representative Mark Go sought the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Cordillera for the possible establishment of a canning and manufacturing facility to help vegetable farmers particularly in Benguet Province.
In his weekly radio program aired over DzEQ Radyo Pilipinas Baguio, Go said once the canning facility is establishedin Benguet, farmers will have an avenue to sell their products even during the rainy season.
"I have asked them if there is a possibility for the construction of a cannery or a food processing manufacturing for Benguet considering that we have many vegetables like mushrooms and asparagus which can be canned and we need a lot of training and funding for our people to do this. There may be investor that would want to invest in this while the DOST can provide technical support in ensuring that this will be done in the Cordillera," Go said.
Studies show that the advantage of canned foods can be just as nutritious as fresh and frozen foods because canning preserves many nutrients. The amount of minerals, fat-soluble vitamins, protein, fat and carbohydrate remain relatively unchanged by the process of canning.
"In other countries like Japan, China as well as Taiwan is able to plant even if it is winter through their nurseries which are commercially set upped that they can produce not only for their community but even outside which we need to do here. If we have Filipino investors that would like to enter this, then what we need is to give them that chance for us to help our farmers and consumers," the lawmaker stated.
Canned fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with "higher-quality diet, lower body weight, and lower blood pressure."
Canned vegetables have just as much nutritional value as fresh vegetables and can taste just as good. They can save you time and money, and can contribute to a healthy eating style.
