In support of the Twin Lakes Hotel’s efforts to enhance its implementation of food safety practices, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas conducted seminars on Halal awareness, basic food hygiene (BFH), food safety hazards (FSH), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) in food service operations for its personnel, July 15-16.
The seminars were designed to provide hotel personnel with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure the highest standards of food safety in their operations. By partnering with DOST, Twin Lakes Hotel hopes to further improve its food safety practices and maintain a competitive edge in the industry by becoming a Muslim-friendly establishment that prioritizes the well-being of its guests, including those with specific dietary restrictions.
In November 2023, the hotel was invited as one of the tourism establishments to participate in the Halal Training organized by the Department of Tourism in partnership with DOST. As a continuation of DOST’s support, seminars on Halal awareness, BFH, FSH, and HACCP were organized to further enhance the hotel personnel’s understanding and implementation of Halal practices in their operations. This is also part of the DOST Research Ecosystem for Development and Innovation (ReDi) Project titled “Development and Deployment of Halal Tourism Training Module and Halal Assurance Systems (HAS) to Secure Halal Compliance of Tourism Establishments.”
Nineteen hotel personnel attended the training session, including food and beverage managers, supervisors, chefs, and representatives from HR, front office, engineering, finance, and security departments. They were engaged in workshop activities focused on practical skills, such as handwashing techniques and the application of HACCP principles, to underscore the importance of implementing comprehensive food safety standards.
Ms. Maria Teresa A. Pamplona and Ms. Anna Marie M. Marasigan, both members of the DOST-CALABARZON Halal Assurance System Team and Food Safety Team, facilitated the seminars.
Twin Lakes Hotel management thanked DOST for providing the seminars, which they believe will greatly benefit their operations and ensure the maintenance of the highest standards of food safety. Ms. Blessy Bayas, the training manager, mentioned that she now feels more confident in their ability to comply with food safety regulations and standards. “The seminars have significantly boosted our readiness to meet food safety requirements, most importantly in Halal,” she added.
