Pastry association signs agreement with DOST-FNRI

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Tummy Reliever SLP Association of Kalinga and Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Food Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) has forged a technology licensing agreement authorizing the use of such technology within a period of time.

The Tummy Reliever SLP Association was formed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) on Aptil 22, 2016 and was provided funds for skills training on bread and pastry making.

Meanwhile, the engagement of DSWDSLP with DOST-FNRI started with the signing of MOA on April 27, 2016 which focused on the provision of technical inputs in identified Phase 1 pilot areas to develop DSWD-SLP enterprise relating to food production and nutrition as well as link SLP program participants to local partners of DOST and mainstream markets.

Now on its Phase 2, nine regions are currently involved including Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) specifically Tummy Reliever SLPA of Kalinga.

Before SLP, the 25 indigents and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries members of the association are mostly housewifes and some laborers who are earning below the minimum wage.

As part of the assistance, the members underwent a 2-day training on the adoption of bakery product with squash technology which ran from August 16 to 17.

“We learned a lot from this training that we could use in developing our product in terms of nutrition and marketability within the province,” said association president Teresa Maga-ao.

As the sole supplier of freshly baked bread products in their barangay, they dream to be a known bakery which supplies good quality bread and pastries.

During the last day of the training, DOSTFNRI and Tummy Re-

liever SLPA signed a five year license agreement stipulating DOST-FNRI has transferred the adoption of bakery products with squash technology to the association for commercialization.

In addition, DOST will assist the association in terms of the packaging and labeling of their products.

“The Department ensures that our beneficiaries are continuously capacitated for them to attain economic independence and that the operation of their micro-enterprises are continued after the livelihood assistance,” said OIC regional director Janet Armas.