DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. together with DOST VI Regional Director Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga and DOST Aklan Provincial Director Dyna Rose G. Tibubos visits Filbake Food Corporation (FFC) in Kalibo, Aklan.

Sec. Solidum looked into FFC’s operations and discuss the various assistance that DOST has provided to the firm during the visit. Representing the firm were FFC President Mr. John Guidon Macciri Dela Cruz and his spouse, Kalibo Vice Mayor Cynthia Dela Cruz, Business Improvement Manager, Ms. Irene Isadora Joy Dela Cruz, Logistics Manager, Mr. John Mikhail Oliver Dela Cruz, and AVP for Plant Operations, Ms. Marylou Mansayon.

FFC is a beneficiary of DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP, which is the agency’s flagship program that primarily aims to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

Through SETUP’s Innovation System Support Fund or ISFF (now referred to as iFund), FFC was able to acquire production equipment and digitize their inventory of supplies and products. To complement the fund assistance, DOST also shared technical knowledge through its consultancy, training and technology transfer programs. These include Food Safety, Manufacturing Productivity (formerly called Manufacturing Productivity Extension or MPEX Program) and Environmental Management (formerly called Energy Audit and Cleaner Production programs) consultancy services. FFC also availed of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) training program and DOST-FNRI’s Squash E-Nutribun, Carrot E-Nutribun, Sweetpotato E-Nutribun, Rice-Mongo Blends, and Rice-Mongo Curls.

FFC is a food manufacturing company that supplies bread, cakes, beverages, and other food products mainly through its local bakery brand, Bread and Butter. It started in 1986 as a micro, single proprietorship enterprise that serves pan de sal and Spanish bread to Aklanons. FFC was incorporated in 2000, started franchising in 2001, and built its first commissary in Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan in 2004.