Isabela State University (ISU) takes pride as Dr. Myleen R. Corpuz (Center Director, Cagayan Valley Cacao Development Center) takes a leadership post as the Vice Chairperson of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety (ACC TWGFS).
The appointment was formalized during the 13th Meeting of the ACC TWGFS at Petro Hotel, Vung Tau City, Vietnam on October 8, 2024. The meeting was a part of the week-long international engagement of the University and CVCDC with global organizations and partners to contribute to the competitive growth of the cocoa industry through innovative research and development.
The functions of the ACC TWGFS include: the conduct and promotion of research research on production, processing, storage and consumption; conduct and coordination of activities and policies on research; improvement of quality; regulation of marketing activities;
collection and dissemination of information; and supervision and coordination of cocoa related activities which covers processing, storage, regulatory and marketing.
Aside from the 13th Meeting of the ACC TWGFS, the Cacao group, together with Dr. Jay Chy (Vice President, Planning and Development), also attended two (2) meetings namely: (1) the 24th Meeting of the National Focal Point for the ASEAN Cocoa Club (ACC) on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme; and (2) the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Good Agricultural Practices (ACC TWGGAP).
These meetings involved discussing reports from the Technical Working Groups, reporting of joint efforts to overcome discriminatory tariffs and non-tariffs barriers and unfair trade practices imposed by importing countries, consultation and exchange of experiences and information on trade and investment policies and strategies, and presenting strategies for cooperation in human resources development, efficient and effective extension service, and enhancement of the complementarity of products.
Moreover, the ISU team together with other delegates, participated in a Cocoa Field Visit to Trong Duc Company Limited, Dinh Quan District, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.