TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac has provided training on bread and pastry making to 22 members of the Pagbiagan Multipurpose Cooperative as part of its Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
This initiative aims to diversify the cooperative’s income sources by equipping members with basic baking skills, allowing them to explore new livelihood opportunities alongside their primary agricultural occupations.
Recognizing the group’s potential, DTI Trade-Industry Development Specialist Paolo Manese praised the cooperative’s proposal to establish a bakery and seek skills training.
“The cooperative members reached out and expressed their interest in starting a small bakery. Knowing their performance as an organization and the feasibility of the business model, we readily extended our support. We are confident that this business venture will thrive in the near future,” he stated.
Resource speaker Danilo Gacusan demonstrated the preparation of various baked goods, including pandesal, banana muffins, banana loaves, cookies, caramel bars, pianono, brownies, and egg pies.
Meanwhile, cooperative chairperson Eulogio Cabiles expressed gratitude for the assistance they received.
“We are very thankful to DTI Tarlac, especially CARP. The effort in providing us with skills training is meaningful to us, as we can start a new business as a group. I wish the members of Pagbiagan to utilize the learning today, and to finally have our own bakery in Barangay Matarannoc,” he shared.
The DTI-CARP will regularly monitor the cooperative’s progress and assist in business development, with a focus on expanding market exposure. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
