AGUSAN DEL NORTE — Three local food enterprises from Agusan del Norte have achieved a significant regulatory milestone by securing Certificates of Product Registration (CPR) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Felias Group Inc., producer of Mixed Thins; Deseo Food Products, maker of Cipriana Chocolate 80%; and Amamio Farm Products, which produces Cacao Powder and Cacao Butter, successfully obtained their respective CPRs, marking a major step forward in their journey toward broader market access and regulatory compliance. The FDA Certificate of Product Registration is a mandatory market authorization document that confirms a product has met the agency's requirements for safety, quality, and labeling. For food products distributed in the Philippines, the CPR serves as official proof that a product has undergone evaluation and complies with national standards, allowing it to be legally sold in retail markets, supermarkets, and institutional channels. This certification also enables products to clear customs at national ports, opening doors to export opportunities. For the three Agusan del Norte enterprises, securing their CPRs represents a critical step in professionalizing their operations and positioning their products for wider distribution.
DTI and RAPID Growth Project Support Drive Success
The achievement was made possible through the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Agusan del Norte under the RAPID Growth Project, together with partner service providers who assisted in the licensing and registration process. The RAPID Growth Project, formally known as the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth, is a six-year investment project implemented in partnership between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and DTI. The project aims to increase the income of small farmers and unemployed rural women and men across selected agri-based value chains, including cacao, coffee, processed fruits and nuts, and coconut. Through the RAPID Growth Project, DTI continues to prioritize value-adding interventions that enable smallholder farmers and agri-based MSMEs to move up the value chain and participate more competitively in national and international markets.
Building on a Foundation of Halal Certification and Value-Adding
The FDA CPR achievement builds on earlier regulatory milestones for these enterprises. In February 2026, Deseo Food Products and Amamio Farm were among four MSMEs from Agusan del Norte that secured Halal certification under DTI's Halal Industry Development and Promotion Project (HIDPP), confirming their compliance with established Halal standards on quality, safety, and ethical production. The province has also been actively strengthening its cacao value chain through initiatives such as the Cacao Industry Cluster consultation and the distribution of livelihood assistance to cacao-producing cooperatives. These combined efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to enterprise development that addresses both production capacity and market readiness.
A Milestone That Strengthens Consumer Confidence and Brand Credibility
For the three enterprises, the FDA CPR milestone strengthens consumer confidence, enhances brand credibility, and opens more opportunities to enter wider retail markets, build partnerships, and expand their businesses. The certification positions them to participate more competitively in trade fairs, institutional markets, and export-related activities, contributing to the growth of Agusan del Norte's food processing and cacao value chains. As these local MSMEs continue to grow and comply with national regulatory standards, they serve as models for other enterprises in the region seeking to scale their operations and access broader markets.
