BAUKO, Mountain Province (PIA) – Perseverance and passion are indeed ingredients of success as proven by this lady entrepreneur from Mountain Province.
From being a member of an organization to becoming a proud owner of the JRC Food Products in barangay Mayag in Bauko, Mountain Province, Jonaline Coteng’s journey is a testament of perseverance and resilience.
The name JRC is the initials of Jonaline and her husband Ricky Coteng, and symbolizing their shared commitment to building a business together.
From Aspiration to Reality
It all started as a small idea fueled by passion and determination, and growing into a promising business venture which main product is the Sweetline Banana Chips.
Jonaline established JRC Food Products in 2016, and registered it with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in March 2017.
Her foray into the food processing business began when she joined a local organization. However, due to internal challenges among its members, the group disbanded. Undeterred, and drawing encouragement from a friend, Jonaline decided to pursue her passion for food and entrepreneurship on her own.
Her first product was banana chips, which she branded as Sweetline, a combination of the product’s natural sweetness and the “line” in her name.
She sources out her raw materials from local farmers and markets as a support to them while promoting “sariling atin.”
From sorting and peeling of fresh bananas, to slicing, frying and finally packaging the finished product, she so patiently does herself.
Overcoming Challenges
Jonaline initially faced challenges due to a lack of proper food processing equipment. However, her determination never wavered. She attended seminars, conducted research, and refined her banana chips recipe.
Through experimentation, she discovered that using honey instead of sugar enhanced the flavor, making the product even more appealing.
To improve her product and increase productivity and competitiveness, she sought assistance from local government units, DTI, and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
She successfully availed of the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) that helps medium, small and micro enterprises improve their productivity and efficiency.
Thu the SETUP, she was provided with essential equipment such as a continuous sealer, a larger fryer, and a slicer, enabling her to scale up production.
Growth and Success
From its modest beginnings, JRC Food Products has expanded its reach beyond Mountain Province. Sweetline Banana Chips are now available in schools and stores in Baguio City and other and local LGUs. Thanks to the unwavering support of Jonaline’s family and community.
JRC Food Products currently offers Sweetline Banana Chips in the following sizes: 80g (35 pieces) – ₱45–50;150g (65 pieces). – ₱75–80; and250g (105 pieces) – ₱120–125.
Entrepreneur Jonaline shares this advice, “Don’t delay opportunities! Believe in yourself, and anything is possible. Testing is important—it’s better to be broken now than be broken later.”
Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs—proving that with passion, perseverance, and the right support, success is within reach. (JDP/CGAS-PIA Mt. Province)
