Kutitap Bakers of Iligan

Since 2013, the Kutitap Feeding Program has been providing aid to the communities of Iligan City through true and good nutritious breads out of Pilmico flour.

The goal of the program is to distribute healthy breads to malnourished students from Kindergarten to Grade 2 in order to increase academic engagement. Not just for the benefit of the schools, the program has also opened up opportunities for small local bakeries to introduce themselves to the community and to build relationships with new customers.

“Masarap sa pakiramdam dahil nakatulong na nga sa amin, nakatulong pa sa mga bata.” ,says Owen Pacas, owner of Mandy’s bakeshop, a bakery partner of the Kutitap Feeding Program since 2013.

A bit teary-eyed, he shares his vision for his promising business and how he feels about the positive feedback he gets from the community.

“Kilalang-kilala ang tinapay namin at nakarating na rin sa ibang bansa dahil dinadala dun ng isa naming customer. Yung tatay naman nung isa naming client laging hinahanap-hanap daw tinapay namin. Nagpapadala pa talaga siya ng taong bibili dahil nakatira sa ibang municipality para lang makakuha ng tinapay namini. Parang naging part na rin ng buhay nila. Naging malaking tulong talaga samin yung Kutitap kasi nadagdagan yung puhunan namin kaya ang gusto ko sana ay makapag-expand kami at lumaki pa.”

Expansion seems to be the key to these partner bakeries, Marlon Gicale of C&G Bakery also reveals that they’re in the process of putting up another branch after their involvement with the Kutitap Feeding Program.

“Noong una kaming nag-apply, tinanong pa kami kung sure kami dahil maliit lang talaga kami noon at hindi pa maayos yung harap. Pero awa ng Diyos, natanggap kami sa program at napaayos na rin namin yung harap namin, magtatayo pa kami ng isa pang bakery.” Panadero turned bakery business owner, Marlon explains.

Even start-up bakery businesses have experienced the Pilmico difference when they joined the program.

Having participated just last year, Happy Bread Bakery owner, Norman Mandiag has his eyes set already for the future of his business with Pilmico.

“One factor yun eh na na-elevate yung quality ng breads. Maganda yung Kutitap dahil mula noon marami ng naghahanap ng breads. Everytime may bumibili nasasabi ko na gawang Pilmico at bumabalik sila dahil doon. Gusto ko sana pag lumago pa itong business, makapagpatayo ng medyo high-end na cafe na para sa mga tinapay namin.”

The Kutitap Feeding Program has fed more than 13, 251 Kutitap kids from 16 partner schools with breads supplied by 8 Kutitap bakeries whose income has been raised to 71% since participating in the program.

Aside from Iligan, the first Kutitap Feeding program in Tarlac was also launched in Capas last July 2018. Students of the Calangitan Elementary School and Manga Elementary School are currently receiving healthy and nutritious breads in the morning. Another leg of Kutitap will be launched in 2019 as part of nutrition month.

Not just for the schools and not just for the business, these humble bakeries have found a partner for growth in building their livelihood and their community through the Kutitap Feeding Program.