Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation empower Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries through bakery livelihood opportunities

Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation (Pilmico) and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (Aboitiz Foundation) provide bakery livelihood opportunities to two Department of Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBO) namely Calapugan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (CARe.Co) of Natividad and Maresma Multipurpose Cooperative (MMPC). 

CARe.Co has gained recognition for its production of cassava chips, while MMPC is known for its squash noodles.  Both initiatives were launched under the Village Level Farm Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project in March 2021.

In 2024, Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation selected these successful farming cooperatives as recipients of the bakery livelihood kits, enabling them to embark on a new venture in the bakery industry.

Each bakery kit consists of a brand-new high-capacity oven, a heavy-duty stainless steel table, a bread rack, a bread showcase display, a proofer, a spiral mixer, and a cake mixer.

The complete livelihood kit allows CaRe.Co and MMPC to open a bakery in their respective local communities.

Aside from the delivery of the bakery equipment on July 13, 2024, members of the cooperatives will undergo a bakery training program under Pilmico’s Technical Service Manager for Flour, Chef Carla Valencia.

Various representatives, including CaRe.Co Chairperson Conrado C. Pagal. MMPC Chairperson Sally O. Madriaga and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Charlotte F. Lasmarias, signed the MOA.

Meanwhile, PARPO I Reymond Niño R. Yu and Pilmico Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist Pinky Christine C. Baroman witnessed the MOA signing.

Other representatives present at the event were the VLFED project point person and area coordinator Dolores C. Tendero, along with other members of the ARBOs.

DAR Pangasinan’s Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II, Charlotte F. Lasmarias, leads the MOA signing with Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations namely, Calapugan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (CARe.Co) of Natividad and Maresma Multipurpose Cooperative (MMPC).

Pilmico’s bakery livelihood project is part of the company’s “Mahalin Pagkaing Atin” program, which aims to provide beneficiaries with alternative sources of income, such as bakery starter kits or livestock farming.