The enterprise that love for candy-making and concern for people build

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
February 22, 2012

ALMERIA, Biliran  –  Several years ago, Santiago and Rose Nierra were about to return to Manila where they work, after a short visit to their hometown in Almeria, province of Biliran, however, they hesitated in going back as they thought how difficult it was to survive in the metropolis with their meager income as candy factory workers.

At about the same time, Santiago was tasked to lead his local church community, thus, the couple contemplated on starting a small business instead, Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Director Romeo L. Dignos informed.

At first the couple was indecisive as to what business to venture into, but after seeing many rural people having no work, they were encouraged to venture into business that will also provide employment. Thus, armed with enough knowledge on candy making, the couple decided to start a small candy business.

The enterprise was given the name SAN-ROSE Processed Food Products. Obviously, the name is a merger of the owners’ first names.

The business initially produced milk candy (yema), hired unemployed women and youth as packers and sell the products to peddlers with motorcycle who in turn distributed the products around Almeria and the neighboring towns. So, San-Rose products became available in stores around the province.

Seeing young people, mostly women with hairnets and aprons, inspired rural folk with the thought of having a small candy factory in their remote rural community. This impression is what SANROSE has given to constituents of Barangay Caucab, Almeria, Biliran about 5 kilometers from Almeria town.

It was this same commitment that led SanRose to seek assistance from DOST Biliran which in turn enrolled the micro-enterprise under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading program (SETUP), Mr. Dignos said.

DOST went further as SanRose later received consultancy support through the DOST-Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) Program.

Mr. Nierra, a local church leader, set up a small area near his house as a processing area for milk candy, pastillas, peanut butter, and similar products. With the help of consultants from Naval State University commissioned by DOST's MPEX program, San-Rose was able to improve its processing lay-out as well as the formulation of its candy products.

Based on its operations last year, the firm generated about Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (P400,000) worth of products and was able to employ at least 12 workers from the community based on its operation last year.

This year, 2012 a technology acquisition support amounting to P85,000 which include improving the packaging system of its products, has been released to the firm.