Today marks the anniversary of the Marawi Conflict.

For its special news feature, CNN Philippines News Anchor Ruth Cabal talked to Pilmico’s Bakery Technician Chef Wilburt Wong on his experience training wounded, differently-abled soldiers of the Philippine Army – some of whom fought in Marawi.

“Tumaas ang tingin ko ng husto sa mag sundalo natin … [Sa Noble Bakers program], doon ko nakita na kahit mayroon silang disabilities, maganda pa rin ang outlook nila sa buhay.” – Wilburt Wong, Pilmico Bakery Technician

©CNN PH

Pilmico Foods Corporation, together with the Oce of the Vice President (OVP) and the Urban Poor Associates (UPA), delivered 140 sacks of rice to the people of Baseco in Tondo, Manila.

The main recipient of the rice sacks is Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran Baseco, Inc. (Kabalikat), a socio civic non-governmental organization that works towards securing land tenure, equal rights, and sustainable livelihood for the people of Baseco.

The donation to Kabalikat will be used to stock up their existing rice inventory. In total, they have 32 rice leaders in charge of dispatching the rice to their members. The income generated by the rice sales will be used to support Kabalikat’s health program including weekly feeding of over 200 grade school students in Baseco, free medicine and medical assistance.

Other peoples’ organizations and cooperatives aliated with the UPA and OVP in Tondo, Manila will also benefit from the rice donation by starting their own community rice enterprise. Present in the turnover were Pilmico Customer Service Supervisor for Trading, Faye Tersona, Kabalikat President, Georgie Tenolete, Kabalikat Secretary, Mayet Betasolo and UPA Community Organizer, Arwin Atentar.

Pilmico Foods Corporation, the food subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., has recently signed an agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in a joint effort to champion backyard farming and sustainable livelihoods in the country.

The partnership is anchored on Pilmico’s flagship advocacy program, Mahalin Pagkaing Atin, a program that aims to promote sustainable livelihood through local produce and instill a “pride of product, pride of place” mindset for both farmers and local consumers.

On Friday, March 9, 2018, Pilmico CEO Sabin Aboitiz and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) that establishes Pilmico as DTI’s Industry Partner in the implementation of the Go Negosyo Act which aims to intensify the promotion of entrepreneurship in the country and further boost DTI’s assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the agreement, DTI will engage Pilmico in all of its Mahalin Pagkaing Atin events through provision & access to registered local entrepreneurs, workshops on how to start a business, and microfinancing.

Aboitiz acknowledged the importance of the agreement in its further push to promote sustainable entrepreneurship among backyard farmers. He said:

“The Aboitiz always believed in partnerships. We can get things done much faster and achieve more when we work together. By working with our partners, like the DTI, it’s one way of giving back to our country and living out our purpose of advancing business and communities… Mahalin Pagkaing Atin beneficiaries can now level up their business game. They will get training and seminars on how to grow their businesses”

For his part, Lopez said the partnership is in line with the DTI’s thrust of Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan or providing jobs, business, and livelihood opportunities to Filipinos. He said:

“With the support from the private sector, the program will empower people in rural areas or the countryside to engage in more business or negosyo opportunities in livestock.”

Pilmico Foods Corporation, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation Inc., signs Memorandum of Agreement with Central Mindanao University to build a livestock research and training facility.

Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine students of Central Mindanao University (CMU) will soon have a modern research and training facility in their campus thanks to a donation by the Aboitiz Group.

Pilmico Foods Corporation, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation Inc., broke ground to build a state-of-the-art research & development complex in Central Mindanao University (CMU), as part of its efforts to elevate livestock raising and management in the region.

The facility, which will be called the “Livestock Training Complex”, will be located within the compound of the university and will be managed by CMU’s University Income Generation Program (UIGP). It will house a training center, research and development hubs and, fully-equipped laboratories where students, specialists and backyard farmers may be exposed, immersed and trained in the actual production of high quality swine, poultry and, aquaculture.

“The Livestock Training Complex will provide a venue for knowledge-sharing, R&D and innovation… A modern facility complete with the latest tools and technologies on swine genetics, animal nutrition, artificial insemination and farm management, which the whole community can benefit from,” said Jefferson Abian, Pilmico Assistant Vice President for Feeds-Sales in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, in her message addressed to Central Mindanao University, Aboitiz Foundation FVP & COO Maribeth Marasigan said:

“In a few months, a high-end facility will rise. I imagine it to be a center of learning and growth in this area as I see our learners, which include the students, farmers, and even specialists, as future innovators and drivers of positive change… We in the Aboitiz Group hope that you will maximize our investment and assistance as we work together to drive change for a better world.”

CMU President Dr. Ma Luisa Soliven expressed her gratitude to Pilmico, Aboitiz Foundation and all those who “worked really hard to turn this project into a reality – for the good of the university and our students, for our employees and for the people in our community.”

The Livestock Training Complex is expected to be completed by August 2018.

AboitizPower subsidiary Hedcor reinforces its commitment to inclusive growth by continuously providing its host communities with sustainable economic opportunities.

Hedcor, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, Aboitiz food business unit Pilmico Foods Corporation, Benguet Technical School, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Benguet, recently held a National Certification (NC) II Training on Bread and Pastry Production, which was participated by 25 members of its partner cooperatives in La Trinidad and Tuba, Benguet.

“We thank the Aboitiz Group for the assistance extended to us. We have truly learned a lot during the training sessions. The big challenge for us now is to apply these learnings so that we can be of service to our cooperative and to the community,” said Felina Mercoles, manager of Barangay Alapang Multi-purpose Cooperative (BALMUCO), one of the beneficiary cooperatives.

BALMUCO, Thanksgiving Multi-purpose Cooperative, and Lamut Multi-purpose Cooperative were provided with bakery starter kits after their members passed the certification training conducted by Benguet Technical School.

The kits included ovens, stainless working tables, bread racks, dough rollers, and bread showcases, among others. With these baking tools and accessories, Hedcor’s partner cooperatives will soon open bakeshops in their own communities.  Moving forward, Hedcor will also provide the Bineng Women’s Association with bakery starter kits.

Apart from the bread and pastry production training, 18 other cooperative members were provided with sewing kits after passing the NC II training on Dressmaking.

These initiatives of Hedcor for the cooperatives in Benguet are aligned with the livelihood programs of the Provincial Government of Benguet, specifically the Livelihood Loan Assistance Program, which aims to provide additional income opportunities to more communities and budding entrepreneurs in the province.

Hedcor is the run-of-river hydropower arm of AboitizPower, operating 21 power facilities in the country with a total rated capacity of 245 megawatts.

Four cooperative from Lapu-Lapu City recently received livelihood kits from Pilmico, the food subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

As part of its efforts to champion sustainable livelihood and backyard farming throughout the country, the donation was made through the firm’s flagship corporate social responsibility program, Mahalin Pagkaing Atin.

The livelihood kits consisted of four sets of egg-laying machines ( two sets per beneficiary; 48 chicken set each with one cycle feed consumption) and two sets of bakery stater packages.

The four beneficiary cooperatives were Hope Consumers Cooperative, Caohagan Pan Bisaya SLPA, Subaspa Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Hugpong Kababyen-an sa Pajac Produces Cooperative.

The livelihood kits were turned over during Pilmico’s Mahalin Pagkaing Atin Food, Agri and Livelihood Expo held at the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex.

The egg-laying machines and bakery starter packages will enable starter packages will enable local farmers to sustain their livelihoods through an easy-to-manage business with a quick return on investment, despite the threats of poverty, tragedy or conflict.

“Pilmico, as a partner for growth, believes in uplifting the lives of our local farmers through these donations. We hope that these egg machines and baker kits will serve as tools to enable beneficiaries to cultivate a sustainable livelihood in the years to come,” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, Pilmico president and chief executive officer.  These donations are part of Pilmico’s Mahalin Pagkaing Atin program, a campaign introduced in the mid-2014 that aims to promote sustainable entrepreneurship through promotion of local produce and install a “pride of product, pride of place” mindset for both farmers and local consumers, thus enabling operators to maximize profit without passing through middlemen.  Nationwide, Pilmico has already donated a total of 838 piglets, 370 egg machines, 37 bakery stature packages and 14 agri-post where beneficiaries received feedbags as restart-up capital.

In addition to the turnover of the livelihood kits, Pilmico also hosted several seminars on animal husbandry and nutrition, basic and advance baking demos and cooking demos by Mahalin Pagkaing Atin ambassabor Chef Boy Logo where the different flavours of the Philippines were showcased using pork, chicken and eggs.

Originally published in Sun Star Cebu

Today marks the anniversary of the Marawi Conflict.

For its special news feature, CNN Philippines News Anchor Ruth Cabal talked to Pilmico’s Bakery Technician Chef Wilburt Wong on his experience training wounded, differently-abled soldiers of the Philippine Army – some of whom fought in Marawi.

“Tumaas ang tingin ko ng husto sa mag sundalo natin … [Sa Noble Bakers program], doon ko nakita na kahit mayroon silang disabilities, maganda pa rin ang outlook nila sa buhay.” – Wilburt Wong, Pilmico Bakery Technician

©CNN PH

Pilmico Foods Corporation, together with the Oce of the Vice President (OVP) and the Urban Poor Associates (UPA), delivered 140 sacks of rice to the people of Baseco in Tondo, Manila.

The main recipient of the rice sacks is Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran Baseco, Inc. (Kabalikat), a socio civic non-governmental organization that works towards securing land tenure, equal rights, and sustainable livelihood for the people of Baseco.

The donation to Kabalikat will be used to stock up their existing rice inventory. In total, they have 32 rice leaders in charge of dispatching the rice to their members. The income generated by the rice sales will be used to support Kabalikat’s health program including weekly feeding of over 200 grade school students in Baseco, free medicine and medical assistance.

Other peoples’ organizations and cooperatives aliated with the UPA and OVP in Tondo, Manila will also benefit from the rice donation by starting their own community rice enterprise. Present in the turnover were Pilmico Customer Service Supervisor for Trading, Faye Tersona, Kabalikat President, Georgie Tenolete, Kabalikat Secretary, Mayet Betasolo and UPA Community Organizer, Arwin Atentar.

Acquires majority stake in regional feed player Gold Coin for US$334 million

 20 July 2018, MANILA — AEV’s food subsidiary Pilmico International Pte Ltd (“Pilmico International”) announced today its acquisition of a majority stake in one of Asia’s largest privately-owned agribusiness corporations, Gold Coin Management Holdings Limited (Gold Coin), as it expands its animal feeds business in the Asia – Pacific region.

Pilmico International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) through its Singapore-based holding entity, AEV International Pte Ltd. Pilmico International signed a share purchase agreement with British Virgin Islands -based Golden Springs Group, Ltd. (GSG) for 75% equity interest in Gold Coin. The consideration is based on an enterprise value of US$413 million, which is equivalent to 75% of the total enterprise value of US$550 million. After deducting cash-like adjustments, the final cash consideration is US$334 million. The transaction will be funded through financing from foreign banks.

Pilmico International was chosen as the preferred bidder following a competitive bid selection process for the acquisition of Gold Coin shares from its holding company, GSG. Gold Coin, which is based in Singapore, is a major producer of animal feeds and operates 20 livestock and aqua feed mills across 11 countries in Asia.

“ASEAN’s market size of over 500 million will bring many opportunities to expand our customer base. This acquisition serves as a platform towards achieving Pilmico’s strategy to grow our core feed milling business beyond ASEAN and now across Asia. This acquisition will add three million metric tons of volume which quadruples our overall feeds production capacity.” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, AEV Chief Operating Officer and Pilmico President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Gold Coin acquisition is Pilmico International’s largest investment in the Asia-Pacific region to date.

Pilmico International’s first ASEAN venture was in Vietnam in 2014 when it bought a 70% stake in Vinh Hoan Feeds (VHF), one of the country’s major aquafeed manufacturer. In 2017, it bought an additional 15% stake in VHF, effectively increasing its stake to 85%. Driven by its strategy to widen its footprint in Vietnam and diversify product portfolio, in September 2017, Pilmico International bought a 70% stake in Europe Nutrition Joint Stock Company (Eurofeed), an animal feeds manufacturer.

“The Zuellig and Aboitiz families have known each other for generations. I am excited about the partnership with Aboitiz Group, one of the largest and most established conglomerates in the region. The partnership will strengthen Gold Coin’s growth profile and long-term value creation potential”, said Peter Zuellig, Chairman of GSG.

## ENDS ##

About Gold Coin
Established in Singapore in 1953, Gold Coin is a pioneer in animal nutrition and the manufacturing of scientifically balanced animal feed within Asia. Gold Coin is today one of the largest privately owned agribusinesses in the Region, employing over 3,000 people throughout 20 production facilities. Gold Coin offers a wide range of products for both the livestock and the aqua industries, including young animals and hatchery feed, premixes, concentrates and compound feed. For the financial year ended 31 December 2017, Gold Coin generated net revenues of US$751million.

About Golden Springs Group
Founded by Peter Zuellig, Golden Springs Group is an enterprise active in the agriculture and healthcare sectors of emerging markets. In addition, via its alliance partner, Golden Springs Group is also in the domain of distribution of pharmaceutical products. With more than 10,000 personnel, Golden Springs Group is connected to over 50,000 customers who provide food and healthcare products to people in more than 30 countries, every day.

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.

Following the onslaught of Typhoon Sendong in December 2011, Pilmico and its partner organizations started work on the 24-classroom school building at the Bayanihan Village Relocation site in Santa Elena, Iligan City in 2012. Pilmico formally turned over the school building, now named Tomas Cabili National High School, to the local arm of the Department of Education in August 2013.

The Php 25million facility is Pilmico’s single biggest Corporate Social Reponsibility project to date.

Since its launch, Tomas Cabili National High School has seen a 200% increase in their student population. Almost five years on, Santa Elena is now as a bustling community for survivors of Typhoon Sendong. More importantly, children are very happy to be back in school.

Rebecco Omlero, the School Head of Tomas Cabili National High School shares:

We feel very fortunate not only for the part of the teachers but also for the children and parents. We have the great opportunity to receive such a generous donation. Swerte kami, swerte ang mga mag-aaral.

The Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., through Pilmico Foods Corporation has partnered with the TESDA Women’s Center to put up a business innovation center at the TESDA Compound in Taguig City.

The business innovation center is a 500 square-meter space will be for aspiring bakery business owners to learn the craft of bread and pastry production. It includes a training facility fitted with up-to-date bakery equipment, a lecture room, and a cafe.

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony attended by Apol B. Castro, VP Corporate Strategy and Business Development of Pilmico, Maribeth L. Marasigan, First VP & COO of Aboitiz Foundation, William Paradies, COO – Flour and Farms of Pilmico, Sec. Gene A. Mamondiong, TESDA Director General, Rosanna A. Urdaneta, TESDA Deputy Director General for Policies & Planning, and Marissa G. Legazpi, TESDA NCR Acting Regional Director at the TESDA Women’s Center on 24 August.

Pilmico’s VP for Corporate Strategy and Business Development Apol Castro shares, “The TESDA Women’s Center’s objective of empowering women and youth coincides with our vision to provide sustainable livelihoods to the community.”

The facility will be aptly named Wooden Spoon after Pilmico’s flagship flour brand and as a representation of one of the most reliable tools a baker must own. The whole renovation of the facility is estimated to be about 6 million with 3.6 million dedicated for the outfitting, and design of the space and 2.2 million specifically for the baking equipment.

“As trees and wood symbolize nourishment, liveliness, and unity, WOODEN SPOON will be more than a training center. It will be more than a facility of baking, brewing, and cooking equipment and tools. We envision this to be a facility of innovation and collaboration as we in the Aboitiz Group also deeply values innovation and teamwork”, Aboitiz Foundation COO, Maribeth Marasigan underlines.

For trainings, the TESDA Women’s Center always puts women as the priority for enrollees enforcing a 9:1 ratio of women to men in the classes to be held in the facility. In addition to this, the facility will also be used as Pilmico’s new center for trainings dedicated to their customers and other stakeholders.

The Wooden Spoon business innovation center is expected to be finished by October.

More than one year after the conflict that displaced thousands of families in Marawi City, Internally Displaced People (IDPs) continue to face challenges in rebuilding not only their homes but also their livelihoods.

Pilmico, the USAid and the Provincial Livelihood Development Center (PLDC) of Lanao del Sur have partnered to implement a capacity-building program in response to the humanitarian crisis brought about by the Marawi conflict.

Last month, Marawi bakers and bakery owners went through a hands-on training workshop to enhance their skills on baking and bakery operations. Two batches for beginners and advanced bakers were conducted, each having 20 participants per class last September 17 to 19 and September 24 to 26.

At the end of the training, the participants were not only able to gain additional knowledge on the science of baking but they also got the chance to engage with other business owners as well.

Through this experience, the participants and the PLDC have opened the idea of creating a Marawi Baker’s Guild so they can further share ideas and knowledge on how to elevate their businesses and products.

“We in Pilmico, and our partners from the USAid and PLDC, are very happy and honored to be able to implement a program that gives Marawi beneficiaries the motivational support and tools they need to rebuild their livelihoods.” – Apol Castro, VP Corporate Strategy & Business Development

 

“We hope for the success of this project and that the knowledge and the skills they have acquired will give them the confidence to grow their business further.” – Florencio Sebandal, VP Flour Operations

Meanwhile, a training participant said:

“Hindi sapat ang mga salita para maipakita namin ang pasasalamat namin sa inyo. Ang laking tulong ang naibigay niyo sa amin lalong-lalo na ang iba sa amin na kaunti pa lang ang nalalaman sa baking.”

In every industry, competitive advantage and the capacity to adapt to trends and technologies are key factors for sustainability and success. Bakery World 2018 which happened last October 5 to 7 at the Centre Convention Hall, Mandaue City in Cebu tackles just that.

The event gathered industry leaders in the flour and food sector to share best practices to more than 4,000 baking enthusiasts, bakery owners, and culinary students.

Pilmico, having been in the flour industry for 56 years, participated in the event through an interactive booth showcasing our high-quality? flour products and business knowledge.

Visitors got the opportunity to learn firsthand how Pilmico can help them begin their baking business by linking them to the different Pilmico Partners in the region. They also got to interact with celebrity chef Chef Boy Logro who also did a cooking demo using Pilmico’s branded pasta, Yummii, on the main stage during the event.

A gallery of our Partners’ success stories were also showcased in the booth; highlighting Pilmico’s commitment to providing customers quality products and sound technical assistance, to help them grow their business.

Bakery World 2018 wouldn’t have been complete without the opportunity of Pilmico to exhibit the skills of our trained technicians, Giovani Maderaje and Felix Oracoy, in the Cake Decorating Contest.

Pilmico advances business and communities by placing itself as one of the fitting leaders in the flour industry providing excellent quality products, expert industry knowledge, and sound business advice to bakers, aspiring bakery owners, and soon-to-be Partners.

 . 

Honing bakers 

Under Kawiyagan (the Maranaon term for ‘livelihood’) program, Aboitiz inaugurated three newly-constructed bakeries and distributed 12 bakery kits to qualified Kilusang Pagbabago affiliated local groups and organizations in Iligan and Marawi through the Office of the Cabinet Secretary – Office of the Participatory Governance.

Each bakery kit contains a steel oven, bread racks, working table, dough roller, display shelf, delivery bicycle, and an initial supply of Pilmico Halal flour. The physical donation is supplemented by bakery training that would help beneficiaries sustain the enterprise.

Mother of five Jasmine Balt, one of the bakery kits beneficiaries speaks in behalf of mothers who have lost their income resources after the harrowing five-month-long siege.

“Kaya nagpapa-salamat ako sa Aboitiz atsaka sa Pilmico na binigyan kami ng ganitong training na bakery. Kung mabigyan po kami ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng livelihood na bakery, napaka-laking tulong po sa amin, lalo na sa mga mothers na walang kabuhayan ngayon. (I am very thankful to Aboitiz and Pilmico for giving us this training. If we’ll be given the opportunity to have our own bakery as means of livelihood, it would be such a big help, especially for mothers who have no other source of income),” Balt said.

Meanwhile, Noni Lao, an evacuee from Raya Saduc, Marawi and another bakery kit beneficiary, said the horrendous experience continues to haunt her, leaving her hopeless at times. “Di ko alam paano kami naka-survive. Gaano ka-rich sa Marawi noon, pare-pareho na kami ngayon, Walang rich, walang poor. Lahat poor. (I don’t know how we survived. No matter how rich you were in Marawi then, we are all the same now. No one’s rich nor poor. Everyone is poor.),” Lao shared.

Yellow corn farmers

Aboitiz forged a partnership with non-stock non-profit Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship’s GoNegosyo to mentor some 200 Maranao yellow corn producing farmers and link them up to potential buyers.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures’ food subsidiary Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation, together with GoNegosyo and Task Force Bangon Marawi, rolled out a three-year micro-entrepreneurship partnership program for internally displaced people in Balo-i resettlement area.

The idea is to train (through the Kapatid Mentor Me program) and initially finance these farmers. Once they pass the Pilmico corn quality standard, they will supply a portion of its yellow corn requirements for its various feeds products.

To date, the program has conducted several trainings including entrepreneurial mind-setting, values formation, marketing management, basic canvas model, basic accounting, financial management, and basic cooperative management.

December 3, 2018 marked the official turn over of Wooden Spoon, the business innovation center of the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and Pilmico at the TESDA Compound in Taguig City.

Wooden Spoon is named after Pilmico’s flagship flour brand and one of every baker’s most reliable tools. The newly renovated facility is set to provide opportunities for women and aspiring business owners to get started on their very own bakery business. Designed to mimic an actual business production line, the facility is equipped with up-to-date baking equipment and Cafe Juana, a cafe that lets students market and sell their own products.

“We will stay true to our mission of empowering budding entrepreneurs and shaping chefs and baristas who share with us the same promise of advancing business and communities. We in the Aboitiz Foundation and our partners in Pilmico commit to do our best to help TESDA Women’s Center’s Bakery and Pastry Production NC II program be accredited at the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System. We will also continue to find more ways to promote education as an enabler of growth and enterprise development- thus, helping more Filipinos earn more income and have better lives.”, Maribeth Marasigan, COO of Aboitiz Foundation, expresses.

Aboitiz, through Aboitiz Foundation and Pilmico, proudly shares this moment with TESDA Women’s Center. Wooden Spoon is the product of their great visions aligned with both organizations aspiring better futures and greater opportunities for individuals, particularly women and the youth. Attended by top executives from both the Aboitiz Group and TESDA Women’s Center, the facility was turned over to the caring hands of the government agency for innovation and collaboration to flourish through their training sessions.

“Guided by our vision to be our customers’ Partner for Growth, we have made it a point to continuously look for opportunities where we can use our expertise to bring a positive and lasting impact to our various stakeholders. Over time, we have learned that the best way to make that impact is to work alongside like-minded and values-based organizations who enable us to effectively mobilize our various programs,” Tristan Aboitiz, Pilmico COO, says in his speech.

The renovation of the 500 square-meter space is estimated to cost about 6 million, with 3.6m dedicated for the outfitting and design, and 2.2m for the state-of-the-art baking equipment.

In its training programs, the TESDA Women’s Center always puts women as the priority for enrollees enforcing a 9:1 ratio of women to men in the classes. In addition to this, the facility will also be Pilmico’s new training center dedicated for customers and other stakeholders.

Through their partnership with TESDA and the establishment of Wooden Spoon, Pilmico and AFI advance business and communities by not only paving new ways of growth and learning for women and the youth but by also educating them on how to sustain their livelihoods.

The Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Cooperative (MARBFC) dreams of big things for their organization. They envision themselves to be a strong and viable cooperative that uplifts their members through more jobs, opportunities for growth, and sustainability programs. With the help of Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation, this is only the beginning for the MARBFC.

Started with 15 small local corn farmers, MARBFC now has over 300 members. More than their membership rate going up, the MARBFC now also supplies corn for our plant in Iligan City. With things all well and good in the MARBFC, the next challenge for the co-op is to learn how to sustain momentum and grow even larger.

Enter Project Silk, a three-part training program held throughout October by Pilmico for the MARBFC to further their flourishing business. The project aims to improve and develop the co-op’s financial, entrepreneurial, and managerial competencies for the betterment of their business. Project Silk is divided into three legs, each done weekly with an industry expert to educate them and all with a goal to contribute to the farmers’ growth as entrepreneurs.

The first leg on Financial Management was led in partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority of Region 10 with Cooperative Development Officer, Joselito Hallazgo. This was followed by a training held by David Normor, an educator from San Isidro College City of Malaybalay on Business Management and Marketing and Alexander Solano from People Management Association of the Philippines on Entrepreneurship. Joselito Hallazgo returns for the final leg of Project Silk with an informative training on Records Management. Throughout the training program, members of the MARBFC got the chance to explore new ideas for business ventures and formulate business plans for these opportunities. Some of the business plans included expanding into farm capital, vulcanizing, cassava chips production, and even being an agri-supply center.

“Very good. Sobra ang kaalaman na aming natutunan lalo na sa accounting, bookkeeping, financial statement and budgeting.” – Evangeline P. Frasco, MARBFC Manager

“Even in a short period, this helped a lot in terms of financial literacy. Most especially for the members who holds a position in the cooperative. In my case, who knows, in the right time this assignment will be given to me. At least, I already know what to do.” – Eufronia C. Pancrudo, MARBFC Member

We’ve become Partners for Growth with local farmer not just by supporting their produce but also through providing them with the right tools and knowledge to help them sustain their livelihood. Through Project Silk, Pilmico fulfills the Aboitiz Group vision of advancing business and communities by creating opportunities for Partners to build their capacity and skill for business.

Last November 22, 2018, Pilmico recently launched a new feeds line specially designed for homing pigeons, Bagwis. Bagwis promises to deliver precise nutrition for homing pigeons at every race.

Following the growing industry of homing pigeons in the country, Pilmico thought it was high time we respond to the demands of the market.

“In the past years, we’ve seen growth in club establishments, increased club membership, stock birds augmentation, and product portfolio expansion among allied industries – veterinary drugs, supplements, accessories and nutrition. Nutrition is one of the key drivers of a winning race alongside with proper training. We want to take part in the history making of each fancier by providing the precise nutrition for a well conditioned pigeon in every race.”, Poultry Feeds Manager, Oscy Balangiao shares.

Putting nutrition at the center of the brand, Bagwis boasts of total care for the pigeons from breeding to racing through careful selection and the right mix of grains and seeds.

BAGWIS Breeder provides the right protein and fat needed in the production of quality crop milk for a squab’s nourishment while maintaining the pair’s good body condition. BAGWIS Trainer is designed to support complete feathering, body conformation, and hardening ready to for its flight training. This is achieved through feeds design of moderate protein but high in carbohydrates and fat. BAGWIS Racer is formulated for building sufficient body reserve needed during the flight and improve its homing instinct through a mix with lower protein but higher fat content.

Fanciers or pigeon breeders and trainers who got the exclusive chance to test the products on their homing pigeons commended the mix for improving the buoyancy of the bird making them lighter while still maintaining a healthy form and enhancing the homing instinct among young birds.

Through Bagwis, Pilmico places itself as the go-to solutions provider for pigeon fanciers with its multi-grain mixes thoughtfully designed to give pigeons the right kind of nutrition at every stage of their development.

Last July, Pilmico extended the Kutitap Feeding Program to the kids of Calangitan Elementary and Manga Elementary in Capas, Tarlac. Aptly launched during nutrition month, the kids’ daily meals were supplemented by nutritious breads and biscuits made from Pilmico flour.

The Kutitap Feeding Program in Tarlac delivers daily breads to students to give them the energy they need for school in the morning. This program seamlessly aligns with the DepEd’s school-based feeding program that serves a full lunch meal to the students.

“Malaking tulong kasi nagstastart and school-based feeding namin ng 11 so bago magfeeding ng 11 pinapakain pa namin sila ng bread. Ngayon, dahil umaga pa lang ay nakakakain na sila mas nagiging active sila. Mahirap kasi yung magconcentrate talaga ng gutom, diba?” – Liza Mendoza, Nutrition Coordinator, Manga Elementary School

“Napakablessed ng Calangitan, lalo na ang mga bata dito. Kung minsan nga walang pasok so sa susunod na linggo o araw, dumodoble ang order at mas maraming tinapay nakukuha nila. Natuto na rin sila magshare kasi kung minsan may sobra, binibigyan nila yung mga batang walang baon. Yung mga walang baon naman mas pumapasok na rin sila dahil alam nilang may tinapay para sa kanila.” – Zaldy Altomas, Calangitan Elementary School

Now, almost 6 months after, the kids of Calangitan and Manga Elementary School are happier and livelier with fuller tummies and brighter minds.

More than just for the kids, the Kutitap Feeding Program also helps the local bakeshop, Norlyn’s Bakery, as the supplier of breads for the schools.

Started in 1997, the family-owned Norlyn’s Bakery started out in Baguio but found their forever home in Tarlac City in 1999. Owner, Normelinda Chavez, attests to using Pilmico Flour almost the same time they started operations in Tarlac as it was also highly recommended by their supplier.

With their bakery based in Tarlac City, Normelinda expresses that the  challenging distance between Tarlac City and Capas is menial compared to the help it gives their business and the value for money she gets from our flour.

“Malaking tulong talaga eh kahit na malayo. Yung flour pa maraming nagagawang tinapay tsaka alam na rin ng customers ko ang quality at ineexpect na nila ito. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako dahil kami ang napili para sa Kutitap Feeding Program.” – Normelinda Chavez, Owner, Norlyn’s Bakery

The Kutitap Feeding Program is a prime example of how we advance business and communities. We provide quality products and trusted service to our local bakery customer which in turn create a lasting and positive impact to the communities of Manga and Calangitan.

As part of National Women’s Month celebration, wives of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) members were taught how to make baking a sustainable livelihood.

 Inaugurated last February 20, “The Bread Camp,” a bakery to be run by PSG Enlisted Personnel (EP) Ladies Club in Malacañang, is now offering “Pan Digong”, a premium goat cheese pan de sal named after President Rodrigo Duterte.

 “I heard he loves bread. He is a very simple man and he has a deep love for Filipinos. I think pan de sal would be the best option of bread that he would prefer,” said Cristina Versoza, EP Ladies Club member.

 The project was initiated by the Aboitiz Group through its corporate social responsibility arm the Aboitiz Foundation and its food business unit Pilmico.

 Around 300 members of PSG-EP Ladies Club will directly benefit in the revival of the once-lucrative bakery business.

 “Itong aming bakery, when I reported last 2016, naka-open pa siya, pero medyo naghihingalo na. Then a few months after, it totally closed and it remained so for some time. Mabuti na lang may well-meaning friends like Aboitiz na gustong tumulong sa mga sundalo,” said PSG Commander Col. Jose Eriel Niembra.

 Niembra noted that The Bread Camp has a good chance of succeeding by catering to nearby communities.

Last June 2018, Pilmico donated to PSG a bakery livelihood kit consisting of a two-deck oven, spiral mixer, cake mixer, loaf slicer, cooking rack, display chiller, chest-type freezer, as well as Pilmico flour and baking ingredients.

 PSG-EP Ladies Club members underwent baking training and learned to bake bread, pastries, cakes, and other goods under the “PAGKAIN (Pagbabago ay Gawin, Kabuhayang Pang-Agrikultura I-aalay Natin) Biyaya ng Pagbabago Bakery Livelihood Program.”

This is not the first time Aboitiz Group has extended baking livelihood program to our country’s soldiers. Last January 2018, Aboitiz Group inaugurated the Noble Bakers Bakery in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, which is run by the Philippine Army Special Operations Command (SOCOM) soldiers who were injured in battle.

 Aboitiz also donated bakery to First Scout Ranger Regiment in San Miguel, Bulacan and to Marawi residents who were displaced during the Marawi City siege

source: lifestyle inquirer