BANGUED, ABRA (PIA) — Victoria B. Alcid, who owns one of the biggest sugarcane products exporters in the province, credits her business’ success to the assistance she received from different government agencies.
She said that through this business, she was able to send her six children to school and help her fellow farmers by buying their sugarcane harvests.
“Through the DOST (Department of Science and Technology), I was able to loan more than a million pesos to purchase a presser which also benefits my fellow sugarcane farmers in our community because they are using it also. Mas mabili ang products namin dahil sa tulong na ito,” she said in an interview.
LOOK: A customer purchases a pack of Balikutsa at Alexandra’s Enterprises store in Agtangao, Bangued, Abra. Aside from balikutsa, Alexandra’s also offers muscovado, sugarcane wine and vinegar, among others. (CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
Alcid is one of the current beneficiaries of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program of the DOST. There were also various inputs coming from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment such as additional equipment to boost its production.
Alexandra’s Enterprises, which Alcid owns and manages, sells sugarcane products such as muscovado, balikutsa, and sugarcane wine that are exported to other provinces in the country. She also retails red rice, sesame seeds, and laddit noodles.
Alexandra’s Enterprises shop is located near the Agtangao Elementary School along the Bangued-Manabo road. (CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
“Nakarating na ang products natin sa Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao at pati narin sa labas kasi member na kami ng PhilExport (Philippine Exporters Confederation). Sila ang link naming para mai-labas naming ang products namin dito sa Pilipinas,” she explained.
With increased and improved production and market links, Alexandra’s Enterprises is now earning a minimum of P30,000 per month.
Alcid hopes that the government partnership they have in their community will continue to help more sugarcane farmers and families in Barangay Agtangao, Bangued.
“Sa mga agencies na tumulong sa akin, maraming maraming salamat at sana tuloy tuloy pa rin ang suporta ninyo sa amin ng mga enterprises at sa mga pangangailangan namin,” she expressed.
Barangay Agtangao is a vast land of sugarcane farms, thus local farmers also venture into making local delicacies out of sugarcane juices. (CAT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
Abrenian Balikutsa is one of the best sellers of Alexandra’s Enterprises. It is sold in packs at P60, P150 and P270.
