Sorsogon MSMEs to venture on pili food products

by BA Recebido

Sorsogon City (14 August) — Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sorsogon province should venture on pili farming and product development due to its promising local and foreign marketability, according to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) branch here.

Eleanor A. Eco, DBP branch manager here, said the pili industry offers a very good opportunity for the locals, wherein they can avail of the credit facility under the One Town One Product (OTOP) supported by DBP that provides capitalization for the business.

Eco, however, recommended that it would be something original and of better value if business ventures will not focus on pili sweet products alone, rather develop products such as pili jelly roll, bread with pili spread or pili inspired filling, pudding, cake, pastries and even ice cream, among others.

“I observed in Sorsogon, that seldom such pili food products are made. In most cases, pili products are limited only to candies or other simple confectioneries”, she said.

Eco said DBP specifically promotes pili because it is one among the many indigenous product of Sorsogon with high nutritive value.

“Pili food products will surely be a’click’ to many especially that nowadays people tend to become more health conscious,” she stressed.

Pili is rich in magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, ascorbic acid, zinc, copper, iron, sodium and even in Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3 and Vitamin E.

“With the perseverance and proper management of MSMEs, the venture can significantly contribute to employment and quality life among Sorsoganons particularly that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is also promoting the “Kulinarya Tour” program as part of cultural tourism,” she added.

“Kulinarya Tour” introduces the Philippine flavors to domestic and international scene and promotes the country as a culinary destination by bringing in local and foreign tourist to areas where the cuisine or food product is most indigenous.

Sorsogon was included in the itineraries of “Kulinarya Bicol Tour” which will introduce the province as prime producer of high-quality pili nuts.

Eco also said that this program is a good step towards bringing food security and poverty alleviation among locals, adding that DBP is their partner in growing their business.

“DBP likewise assured its continuing support to small and medium enterprises through its retail and wholesale lending program, she added.

At present, DBP has P35 billion in capitalization and 80 percent of its borrowers are into MSMEs. In Sorsogon, four MSMEs has already been benefiting from the said program.

For those who want to avail of MSME loans and other DBP programs, they can visit their nearest DBP Branch nationwide.

“We also have five Super Region Management Offices and 16 Regional Marketing Centers, ready to assist the MSME sector across the nation,” said Eco.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture Bicol has recorded some 256 entrepreneurs in the region involved in pili industry. (PIA Sorsogon)