NAGA CITY — Banana chips production in this province gets a boost with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with various institutions involving a project cost of P950,000.00.
Camarines Sur II agrarian reform chief Renato C. Bequillo said the partnership was forged between the DAR, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), and the local government unit (LGU) of Bombon, and is implemented under the DAR’s Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) program.
“The funds will be utilized for the construction materials and upgraded tools and equipment to make new improvements to the banana chip processing center donated by the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI),” said Bequillo.
The project ensures that the recipient, the Siembre Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (SARBO), will be able to expand their business and bring their products not just locally but to other parts of the country as well.
He said the DAR will also earmark P180,000.00 for the skills and managerial training of SARBO’s officers and members, emphasizing the significance of equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to manage their business professionally.
He added that the agency will spend an additional P370,000.00 on product enhancements, member capacity building, and various marketing initiatives to better promote the organization’s products and business in the coming year.
“SARBO, consisting of 130 members, is already producing eight delicious varieties of banana chips that are selling like hotcakes in stores, pasalubong centers, and offices around the province. They plan to introduce chocolate-flavored banana chips, which will be a delicious addition to their existing flavors,” Bequillo said
Since January of this year, the organization’s sales reached P73,957.00, resulting in a two-year total of P445,450.00 in 2021 and 2022.
To further support the group, DOST will provide technical guidance on proper product labeling, handling, and packaging, as well as training in good manufacturing practices.
The DTI also pledged to continue assisting the organization in adapting its products to market demands and selling banana treats at trade fairs and other marketing events.
SARBO President Emiliana Volante expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the DAR, PSFI, and other line agencies for their continued support. She acknowledged that the organization would not exist, and would not have produced locally-made products if it were not for their help.
“With the generous aid and support that our organization has received, we are confident that we will continue to grow and become even more successful in producing delicious and healthy banana chips while improving the lives of our members,” Volante said.
###
Produksyon ng banana chips sa Camarines Sur patataasin
NAGA CITY — Mapapataas ang produksyon ng banana chips sa lalawigang ito sa paglagda ng Memorandum of Agreement sa pagitan ng Dartment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) kasama ang iba’t ibang institusyon na kinasasangkutan ng halagang P950,000.00 proyekto.
Sinabi ni Camarines Sur II agrarian reform chief Renato C. Bequillo na ang partnership ay nabuo sa pagitan ng DAR, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), at local government unit (LGU) ng Bombon at ipinatutupad sa ilalim ng Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) program ng DAR.
“Ang pondo ay gagamitin para sa pambili ng construction materials at upgraded tools at equipment para sa pagpapabuti ng banana chip processing center na donasyon ng Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI),” ani Bequillo.
Ang proyekto ay nagtitiyak na ang tatanggap, ang Siembre Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (SARBO), ay mapapalawak ang kanilang negosyo at madadala ang kanilang mga produkto hindi lamang panglokal kundi sa iba pang bahagi ng bansa.
Aniya, maglalaan din ang DAR ng P180,000.00 para sa mga pagsasanay sa pangangasiwa ng mga opisyal at miyembro ng SARBO, na binibigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng kaalaman at kasanayang kinakailangan upang pamahalaan ang kanilang negosyo nang mas propesyonal.
Dagdag pa niia, gagastos ang ahensya ng karagdagang P370,000.00 sa pagpapabuti ng produkto, pagsasanay para sa mga miyembro, at iba’t ibang inisyatiba para sa pagbebenta para mas maisulong ang mga produkto at negosyo ng organisasyon sa darating na taon.
“Ang SARBO, na binubuo ng 130 miyembro, ay gumagawa na ng walong masasarap na uri ng banana chips na malakas na naibebenta sa mga tindahan, pasalubong center, at mga opisina sa buong lalawigan. Plano nilang ipakilala ang chocolate-flavored banana chips, na magiging masarap na karagdagan sa kanilang mga flavor,” ani Bequillo
Mula noong Enero ng taong ito, umabot sa P73,957.00 ang benta ng organisasyon, na nagresulta sa dalawang taong kabuuang P445,450.00 noong 2021 at 2022.
Upang higit pang suportahan ang grupo, magbibigay ang DOST ng teknikal na patnubay sa wastong pag-label ng produkto, paghawak, at pag-iimpake, pati na rin ang mahusay na pagsasanay sa pagpopoproseso ng produkto.
Nangako rin ang DTI na patuloy na tutulong sa organisasyon sa pag-angkop ng kanilang produkto sa mga pangangailangan sa merkado at pagbebenta ng banana treats sa mga trade fair at iba pang marketing event.
Ipinahayag ni SARBO President Emiliana Volante ang kanyang pasasalamat sa DAR, PSFI, at iba pang ahensya para sa kanilang patuloy na suporta. Inamin niya na hindi mabubuhay ang organisasyon, at hindi sila makakagawa ng lokal na produkto kung hindi dahil sa kanilang tulong.
“Sa bukas-palad na tulong at suporta na natanggap ng aming organisasyon, tiwala na kami na patuloy na lalago at magiging mas matagumpay sa paggawa ng masarap at masustansyang banana chips habang napabubuti ang pamumuhay ng aming mga miyembro,” ani Volante.
###
