HEAVEN'S BAKEHAUS OF ILIGAN CITY WINS 2023 DOST NATIONAL SETUP PRAISE AWARD

The firm has been into the production and distribution of baked products since 2010 with a starting capital of PhP 5,000, registered on 18 October 2012 purposely to create a means of living for a single parent who lived with them. The main product of the business is the piaya that is now one of the most popular pasalubong items from Iligan. Now, patrons call it “Piaya de Iligan” after knowing that it is locally made fresh. It is an unleavened bread pie filled with various flavors from local produce like the muscovado, purple yam, and durian. The firm first received its SETUP assistance in 2016 for their upgrading of Piaya and Pastel Processing Equipment. Maximizing the government’s available technical assistance, they also availed DOST’s Food Safety, Manufacturing Productivity and Expansion Program (MPEX), and Good Manufacturing Practices Standard Operating Procedure Manual writeshop in 2018. This led to a fruitful product and process improvement and the acquisition of the License To Operate from the Food and Drug Administration. The firm also received a series of trainings on Packaging and Labeling, Food Safety Awareness, Halal certification, and other consultancy services. In 2021, Heaven’s Bakehaus also became a licensee of DOST - Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s Enhanced Nutribun (eNutribun) technology. To date, they are the only technology adopter of eNutribun in Lanao del Norte. Innovative and quality products and the production of enhanced nutribun kept the firm afloat even during the height of the pandemic. They also developed an ube delicacy to sustain ube farmers in the hinterlands of the Iligan. These farmers are now supplying Heaven’s Bakehaus directly at a price that brings smiles to the farmers. The firm also applied for a second set of upgrading with SETUP, which focus progressed to strengthening mainline products such as Pasalubong Food Items (Piaya, Hopia and Various Baked Products), Bread Products (eNutribun Squash and Carrot Variants, Pan Ramona, Ube and Choco Sliced, Sliced Bread, etc.), Pizza, Cakes and Pastries In July of this year, Heaven’s Bakehaus launched Big Deal Pizza here in Iligan City and at the same time expanded its original manufacturing operations with 15 workers composed of single parents, persons with disabilities, out-of-school youths, and nearing senior citizens. In addition to their various branches in the Lanao del Norte, there are two more branches operating outside Lanao del Norte.

Today, Heaven’s Bakehaus is the sole OTOP (One Town, One Product) Hub in the Province, a one-stop retail store where market-ready products of a community can be found and cater to both local buyers and tourists. Its products are available at the Laguindingan Airport. It is also on the ecommerce platform with POS payments. Heaven’s Bakehaus and Enterprise has impacted the community so much in terms of providing employment to the vulnerable sectors and in utilizing local farm produce in their products. The bakery continues to innovate and experiment with new products while staying true to its roots and commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Owner Mr. and Ms. Claro also received the regional level SETUP Praise award during the 2023 RSTW sa Amihanang Mindanao in Iligan City on October 11-13, where he encouraged would-be entrepreneurs and startups to seek the assistance of DOST. “Ibutang sa inyong hunahuna ug kasingkasing (put it in your mind and heart) that there is always one DOST for you.” This is the first national SETUP Praise award given to a firm from Northern Mindanao. The awardee was rated based on the criteria: Productivity (17%); Resilience(17%); Agility (17%); Innovativeness (17%); Sustainability (17%); and Excellence (15%). (Nova Belle C. Calotes/DOST 10) #ScienceForThePeople #OneDOST4U Heavens.jpeg: Heavens Bakehaus and Enterprises receives the DOST SETUP PRAISE award during the opening ceremony of the 2023 NSTW in Iloilo City. Heavens1.jpeg: DOST SETUP Praise awardee PSMS Marc Claro and wife, Dr. Roly Ann Claro at the SETUP awarding ceremony. Heavens2.jpeg: Dr. Roly Ann Claro with some of the employees of Heavens Bakehaus About DOST-10 The Department of Science and Technology – Region 10 (DOST 10) envisions to be an effective and competent catalyst of inclusive development by providing world-class and innovative Science & Technology services in Region 10. Contact: Ms. Nova Belle C. Calotes, Science Research Specialist II (stpromotions@region10.dost.gov.ph, 09178579117)