Brief History of the Business:
Years ago in Agoo, La Union, we observed a relative-neighbor who sold boiled white glutinous corn kernels locally known as "binatog" near a school campus. There were times that he could not sell all the corn kernels he cooked for the day. So, the following day, he sun-dried them then deep-fried and that resulted to a delicious crunchy cornick. He used to share with us this crunchy foodstuff. It was really delicious.
Then we found out that another relative in another province was processing cornick. We observed that basically, the product and the procedure were the same with that of our relative-neighbor. We also noted that there was a big demand for his product. So, we got the idea to then start to do and commercialize our own chicha-corn processing here in Agoo, La Union. Thus came --- Agoo Chicha-corn & Food Products, in our aim to put La Union in the map of the nation's flourishing chicha-corn industry.
With a measly PhP10,000 initial capital in 1994, we were able to start our chichacorn processing. At first, we marketed our products solely in Agoo - to schools, relatives and friends. We found out that the product was selling fast. True enough, two sacks of chicha-corn did not even last a day in the locality. Our sisters and sisters-in-law volunteered to be our salespersons. We all believed that chichacorn had a big potential in the bigger market.
Agoo Chicha-corn made a debut and established its presence in a popular mall, the biggest chain of supermarket-department store in Pangasinan that time. Starting from the initial 12 piece-trial order from the mall, our product became in-demand, increasing our sales to 100 pieces a week.
Agoo Chicha-corn also made its first public appearance in Metro Manila in 1995 through Rustan's Supermarkets, one of the region's biggest chain of supermarkets-department stores. Not long after, repacking companies and an exporter also in Metro Manila became our regular customers.
To meet the growing demand, we decided to put up also a semi-processing branch factory in Taleb, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. We kept our Agoo plant for additional semi-processing of raw corn, product finishing and marketing.
Among our institutional buyers now are supermarkets, marts, grocery stores, restaurants, bus stations, repackers, gas stations, and Mercury Drug convenience stores, all in La Union, Baguio City, Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Metro Manila, Bataan, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Kalinga, Mindoro, Palawan, Davao City, Sultan Kudarat, Bukidnon, IIigan City, Davao del Norte, Pagadian City, South Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte and Iloilo.
Along the course of this business, we encounter good and bad experiences, easy and difficult situations. The good experiences and the easy situations are blessings. We consider the bad experiences and the difficult situations as our teachers/trainers.
Years ago in Agoo, La Union, we observed a relative-neighbor who sold boiled white glutinous corn kernels locally known as "binatog" near a school campus. There were times that he could not sell all the corn kernels he cooked for the day. So, the following day, he sun-dried them then deep-fried and that resulted to a delicious crunchy cornick. He used to share with us this crunchy foodstuff. It was really delicious.
Then we found out that another relative in another province was processing cornick. We observed that basically, the product and the procedure were the same with that of our relative-neighbor. We also noted that there was a big demand for his product. So, we got the idea to then start to do and commercialize our own chicha-corn processing here in Agoo, La Union. Thus came --- Agoo Chicha-corn & Food Products, in our aim to put La Union in the map of the nation's flourishing chicha-corn industry.
With a measly PhP10,000 initial capital in 1994, we were able to start our chichacorn processing. At first, we marketed our products solely in Agoo - to schools, relatives and friends. We found out that the product was selling fast. True enough, two sacks of chicha-corn did not even last a day in the locality. Our sisters and sisters-in-law volunteered to be our salespersons. We all believed that chichacorn had a big potential in the bigger market.
Agoo Chicha-corn made a debut and established its presence in a popular mall, the biggest chain of supermarket-department store in Pangasinan that time. Starting from the initial 12 piece-trial order from the mall, our product became in-demand, increasing our sales to 100 pieces a week.
Agoo Chicha-corn also made its first public appearance in Metro Manila in 1995 through Rustan's Supermarkets, one of the region's biggest chain of supermarkets-department stores. Not long after, repacking companies and an exporter also in Metro Manila became our regular customers.
To meet the growing demand, we decided to put up also a semi-processing branch factory in Taleb, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. We kept our Agoo plant for additional semi-processing of raw corn, product finishing and marketing.
Among our institutional buyers now are supermarkets, marts, grocery stores, restaurants, bus stations, repackers, gas stations, and Mercury Drug convenience stores, all in La Union, Baguio City, Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Metro Manila, Bataan, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Kalinga, Mindoro, Palawan, Davao City, Sultan Kudarat, Bukidnon, IIigan City, Davao del Norte, Pagadian City, South Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte and Iloilo.
Along the course of this business, we encounter good and bad experiences, easy and difficult situations. The good experiences and the easy situations are blessings. We consider the bad experiences and the difficult situations as our teachers/trainers.
Roles of Government Agencies In Our Business
In1994 after some laborious and tedious experiments to come up with a good product, we registered our business at the government agencies concerned. We saw that we could not expand our market because we could not penetrate big markets like supermarkets if we would not legalize our firm. We then registered our food procesing business named Agoo Chicha-corn & Food Products at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), secured permits from our local government and obtained our license to operate from the Bureau of Food and Drugs.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Just few months after our registration at the DTI, we were surprised because the DTI-La Union province and DTI-Region I offices began giving us assistance. That time, we were not aware that they were very supportive to business enterprises engaged in horticulture, fabrication, manufacturing, and processing which our firm belongs to. Since that time then, DTI has been assisting us dedicatedly in various ways such as:
* Organizing and sponsoring exhibits and trade-fairs to promote and to market our products
* Referring / Endorsing our firm and products to possible market outlets including exporters
* Referring / Endorsing our firm to financing institutions
* Developing our packaging design
* Organizing and sponsoring seminars, fora, trainings and workshops for the micro, small and medium
entrepreneurs (MSMEs) necessary for the firms and products.
Among these are:
- Seminar on Effective Exhibition Design, Product Costing and Pricing and Negotiation
- Seminar on Effective Customer Relations
- Forum on Business Opportunities and Incentives
- Seminar on Basics of Exporting
- Seminar on Requirements, Regulations and Standards for Food Processors, Manufacturers and
Entrepreneurs
- Training Course on Visual Merchandising
- Seminar on Business Plan Preparation
- Seminar on Strategic Management
- Basic Orientation Seminar on Intellectual Property
- Seminar on Good Manufacturing Practices
- Seminar on Market Opportunities
- Seminar on Good Housekeeping or 5-S
- Seminar on Development of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs
- Seminar on How to Participate Trade Fairs Cum Booth Design
- Training Program on Promotion and Marketing: Internet-Based Marketing (Blogging and Web Development)
- Training Enhancement for Competitiveness in Harnessing Innovative Entrepreneur Project
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Another government agency that has a big and important role in our business is the Department of Science and Technology through its DOST-La Union Provincial Office and DOST-Region I Office. They are also very active and dedicated in assisting enterprises engaged in fabrication, manufacturing and processing like our firm. Among these various assistance they had granted us and have been giving us are:
* Expansion of our Agoo plant by upgrading our production process and packaging of our products
through their DOST- Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET- UP)
* Upgrading of our packaging design
* Upgrading of the packaging of our products by assisting us in acquiring one unit automatic vertical form,fill and
seal machine to package smaller/sachet sizes, also through the DOST-SET UP Program.
* Organizing and sponsoring exhibits and trade fairs to promote and to market our products
* Cosultancy services:
- Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX)
- Cleaner Production Technology
- Energy Audit
- Food Safety
* Analytical and testing services for our raw materials and products
* Organizing and sponsoring seminars, trainings and workshops aimed to help and guide MSMEs in various
sectors. Among these are:
- Seminar Workshop on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
(HACCP)
- Training on Capability Enhancement on Simple Recording and Bookkeeping
- Training on Meal Management and Food Handling
- Training on Food Fortification Promotion for Small and Medium Enterprises
- Seminar on Energy Conservation
Department of Agriculture (DA)
Being an agribusiness, our firm, Agoo Chicha-corn & Food Products, was also a recipient of DA's assistance through their Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) program for our expansion aimed primarily at benefiting not only our firm but also the corn and garlic farmers. Indirect beneficiaries are our local government, our buyers and our suppliers.
Other Government and Non-Government Agencies That Had Extended Assistance To Our Firm Are:
* Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - La Union Provincial Office --- training
programs
* La Union Provincial Government
* City Government of San Fernando, La Union
* Local Government of Agoo, La Union
* Philippine National IT Standards (PhilNITS) Foundation
* North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area
Milestones of Agoo Chicha-corn & Food Products:
* 2005 Most Outstanding La Union Entrepinoy Sector Leader (Processed Food Category)
(Award from the Provincial Government of La Union)
* Nominee for 2009 Presidential Awards for Outstanding Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs
(By DTI and MSMED Council)
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Just few months after our registration at the DTI, we were surprised because the DTI-La Union province and DTI-Region I offices began giving us assistance. That time, we were not aware that they were very supportive to business enterprises engaged in horticulture, fabrication, manufacturing, and processing which our firm belongs to. Since that time then, DTI has been assisting us dedicatedly in various ways such as:
* Organizing and sponsoring exhibits and trade-fairs to promote and to market our products
* Referring / Endorsing our firm and products to possible market outlets including exporters
* Referring / Endorsing our firm to financing institutions
* Developing our packaging design
* Organizing and sponsoring seminars, fora, trainings and workshops for the micro, small and medium
entrepreneurs (MSMEs) necessary for the firms and products.
Among these are:
- Seminar on Effective Exhibition Design, Product Costing and Pricing and Negotiation
- Seminar on Effective Customer Relations
- Forum on Business Opportunities and Incentives
- Seminar on Basics of Exporting
- Seminar on Requirements, Regulations and Standards for Food Processors, Manufacturers and
Entrepreneurs
- Training Course on Visual Merchandising
- Seminar on Business Plan Preparation
- Seminar on Strategic Management
- Basic Orientation Seminar on Intellectual Property
- Seminar on Good Manufacturing Practices
- Seminar on Market Opportunities
- Seminar on Good Housekeeping or 5-S
- Seminar on Development of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs
- Seminar on How to Participate Trade Fairs Cum Booth Design
- Training Program on Promotion and Marketing: Internet-Based Marketing (Blogging and Web Development)
- Training Enhancement for Competitiveness in Harnessing Innovative Entrepreneur Project
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Another government agency that has a big and important role in our business is the Department of Science and Technology through its DOST-La Union Provincial Office and DOST-Region I Office. They are also very active and dedicated in assisting enterprises engaged in fabrication, manufacturing and processing like our firm. Among these various assistance they had granted us and have been giving us are:
* Expansion of our Agoo plant by upgrading our production process and packaging of our products
through their DOST- Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET- UP)
* Upgrading of our packaging design
* Upgrading of the packaging of our products by assisting us in acquiring one unit automatic vertical form,fill and
seal machine to package smaller/sachet sizes, also through the DOST-SET UP Program.
* Organizing and sponsoring exhibits and trade fairs to promote and to market our products
* Cosultancy services:
- Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX)
- Cleaner Production Technology
- Energy Audit
- Food Safety
* Analytical and testing services for our raw materials and products
* Organizing and sponsoring seminars, trainings and workshops aimed to help and guide MSMEs in various
sectors. Among these are:
- Seminar Workshop on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
(HACCP)
- Training on Capability Enhancement on Simple Recording and Bookkeeping
- Training on Meal Management and Food Handling
- Training on Food Fortification Promotion for Small and Medium Enterprises
- Seminar on Energy Conservation
Department of Agriculture (DA)
Being an agribusiness, our firm, Agoo Chicha-corn & Food Products, was also a recipient of DA's assistance through their Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) program for our expansion aimed primarily at benefiting not only our firm but also the corn and garlic farmers. Indirect beneficiaries are our local government, our buyers and our suppliers.
Other Government and Non-Government Agencies That Had Extended Assistance To Our Firm Are:
* Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - La Union Provincial Office --- training
programs
* La Union Provincial Government
* City Government of San Fernando, La Union
* Local Government of Agoo, La Union
* Philippine National IT Standards (PhilNITS) Foundation
* North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area
Milestones of Agoo Chicha-corn & Food Products:
* 2005 Most Outstanding La Union Entrepinoy Sector Leader (Processed Food Category)
(Award from the Provincial Government of La Union)
* Nominee for 2009 Presidential Awards for Outstanding Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs
(By DTI and MSMED Council)