By Kenneth Marcos 
In a bright training room in Quezon City, ten new Meat Inspection Officers (MIOs) proudly received their certificates after completing a rigorous 20-day Basic Meat Inspection Course on October 7, 2025. This training, held at the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) headquarters on Visayas Avenue, prepares them to protect public health by ensuring the safety and quality of meat products across the country.
The course, led by the Meat Standards Development and Consumer Protection Division in partnership with the Human Resource Development Section, combined classroom lectures, hands-on workshops, and on-site visits to meat establishments. It focused on essential skills such as food safety, hygiene, sanitation, quality control, and practical meat inspection procedures.
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Roberto S. Umali, Officer-in-Charge and Executive Director of NMIS, encouraged the new officers to lead with integrity and dedication in their public service roles. Dr. Ronnie Ernst A. Duque, Deputy Executive Director, reminded them of their important responsibility to uphold the trust of Filipino consumers by ensuring safe meat products.
The top performers of the batch were honored, with Dr. Randolph B. Tolentino named valedictorian, followed by Dr. Isabela Faye C. dela Rosa-Santos and Dr. Amanel L. Manalo. Also present were key NMIS officials, including Dr. Sittie Maleah Fatima M. Macog-Hassan, OIC of the Meat Standards Division, and Ms. Katheryn S. Perez, Supervising Administrative Officer.
The training was expertly coordinated by Ms. Marilou N. De Leon, Training Management Head, along with the Human Resource Development team led by Ms. Romadell M. Angeles.
With this certification, the newly appointed Meat Inspection Officers are now ready to inspect meat products throughout the supply chain, helping to prevent foodborne illnesses and protect Filipino families from unsafe meat.
Their work will be vital in maintaining public health standards, especially as demand for safe and high-quality meat continues to grow in the country.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News