KITAOTAO, Bukidnon (February 18, 2026) – The aroma of roasted cacao and the sight of ripening strawberries in the highlands of Kitaotao signify more than agricultural gains; they are the seeds of a resilient community

Through a ₱750,000 livelihood grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), two local organizations, KPRIC and LAMDAG, are now successfully moving from backyard ventures into competitive livelihoods.

From backyard cacao to branded tablea

Tablea—pure roasted and ground cacao beans hand-shaped into tablets or bars—is the base of the traditional Filipino chocolate drink, Sikwate. Often served during breakfast or merienda, these cacao tablets are prized for their thick, nutty flavor.

For years, mothers, senior citizens, and farmers of the Kitaotao Poblacion Rural Improvement Cooperative (KPRIC) produced tablea using basic home tools. Their product was well-liked, but limited equipment kept them from reaching bigger markets.

This production constraint was resolved when DOLE allocated a ₱250,000 grant, effectively industrializing their passion. The arrival of high-capacity industrial grinders and molders replaced the slow, manual labor of the past, allowing the group to meet the demands of bigger buyers.

To ensure their product looked as premium as it tasted, DOLE also provided custom packaging and branding materials, turning generic tablets into a market-ready brand. Supported by a steady supply of high-quality cacao beans, the cooperative’s production now provides concrete economic opportunities.

KPRIC President Lebney Minoza recalled how a reliance on manual tools once hindered their growth, restricting sales to the neighborhood and limiting expansion into out-of-town markets.

“Dili lang kini panginabuhian; katumanan kini sa among damgo. Kaniadto, sa tugkaran lang mi magproseso ug limitado ang halin. Karon, pinaagi niining gihatag sa DOLE, mas mapagwapa na namo ang among produkto ug makabaligya na mi sa dagkong merkado,” Minoza said.

(This is more than a livelihood; it is a dream come true. We used to process cacao in our backyards and sell only in small volumes. Now, with DOLE’s support, we can improve our product and reach larger markets.)

The Lorega Ancestral Management Development for All Generations (LAMDAG) similarly secured ₱500,000 to revitalize its strawberry production and processing. This funding is designed to restore their local farm, transforming it into a sustainable source of alternative income for indigenous families.

The group’s journey began in 2022 with initial support from DOLE, but progress was stalled by the severe 2023 El Niño. The resulting heatwaves and water shortages damaged the moisture-sensitive crops, leading to a temporary collapse of the farm’s operations.

With the farm’s revitalization underway, LAMDAG Chairperson Bae Mary Ann Lindongan emphasized that the fresh capital represents more than just a restart; it is a vital lifeline for the community’s recovery.

“Kini nga tabang naghatag kanamo og bag-ong paglaum nga makabangon pag-usab. Tungod niini, mabalik na ang among panginabuhian ug mapalambo ang among komunidad,” Lindongan said.

(This assistance provides the hope we need to rebuild. With these resources, we can restore our livelihoods and drive long-term community development.)

Cultivating sustainable growth

DOLE-10 Bukidnon Provincial Director Raul L. Valmores emphasized that this initiative is more than a one-time intervention; it is a commitment to nurturing long-term community resilience.

“By providing the essential capital and specialized training, the government sets the foundation, but the true growth is driven by the community’s own persistence,” he said.

He said the steady rhythm of the chocolate molder and the recovery of strawberry runners prove that targeted support goes beyond increasing farm yields by nurturing the dreams of the people who tend the land.

“With every harvest, these communities are proving that with the right nourishment, local enterprises can grow as robustly as the soil they call home,” Valmores said. (RLT, with reports from KJCP/DOLE-10 BukPFO/PIA-10/Bukidnon)