VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The provincial government of Ilocos Sur has launched the Ilocos Sur Pastry Depot on April 8, a project aimed at creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and promoting Ilocano culture and products.
Located beside the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in this city, the pastry depot serves as a platform for marginalized individuals to gain employment and training.
It also offers tourists and locals a variety of traditional and modern baked goods such as Royal Bibingka, ensaymada, crema de fruta, chocolate cake, and Portuguese tart.
Ingrid Faipon-Aninag, pastry chef and depot manager, shared how the idea started and how it aims to preserve culture while providing livelihood.
“I developed the recipes for the pastries… Our goal was to preserve tradition while also introducing new tastes to tourists and locals here,” Aninag said.
She also talked about how the project helps the community by training people from disadvantaged sectors.
“We trained the staff for a month—most of them from the marginalized sector—so we could provide them with livelihood opportunities, and we gave them allowances during the training period,” she explained.
Aninag adds that they aim to move forward with an eye towards expanding livelihood opportunities and bringing local products to the global market through export.
During the opening of the depot, governor Jerry Singson emphasized its importance in supporting local talent and economic development.
“This is the first of its kind here in Ilocos Sur. For the first time, we now have a dedicated hub that highlights the amazing talent of our local bakers and entrepreneurs,” Singson said.
For Ma. Cristina Rabena, a 47-year-old baker from Fuerte, Caoayan town, the Pastry Depot is a blessing for her and her family.
“It is good that they established the Pastry Depot for us to have the opportunity to work. We are grateful to the provincial government, and I hope this workplace continues to thrive,” Rabena said.
Meanwhile, H.A. Zaldy Z. Zafra, Jr., Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ilocos Sur provincial director, said that the project helps preserve culture and build a strong future for local entrepreneurs.
He assured that the DTI will continue to support local entrepreneurs and communities by promoting programs that grow the economy and bring the One Ilocos Sur brand to wider markets.
The Ilocos Sur Pastry Depot is open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM and stands as a symbol of community-driven development—where local talent, tradition, and innovation come together to build a better future. (CCMT/ATV/AQA, PIA Ilocos Sur)
