In partnership with TESDA Regional Training Center Central Luzon – Mariveles, GMEC conducts a 2-day community-based training with the thirty (30) members of Alion’s CocoNaturalia Cooperative on Buko Juice Production, Buko Pie Making, and the process of business planning last October 27-28, 2022 at Barangay Alion Covered Court.

Barangay Alion is one of the barangays in Bataan, which is rich in coconut trees, and can supply “buko” to Bataan towns, and even nearby provinces. With the Barangay Captain’s vision, GMEC is eyeing to see the barangay holds its first “Buko Festival” during its barangay feast day held every 8 th of December.

Ms. Lilibeth Vallester, and Ms. Maria Rosario Barin, both from DepEd Bataan, and accredited by TESDA spearhead the buko pie making and buko juice processing. Both Buko Pie Making, and Buko Juice Processing takes four (4) hours each which guaranteed them of a TESDA certification. On the second day, Mr. Norman Buan, TESDA representative begins sharing tips on the entrepreneurial part of the main product – the process of business planning from developing, organizing to running a business which takes eight (8) hours of training. 

The training capped by a turnover of livelihood starter kits which the cooperative can use to start the production. The starter kits contain a multifunction built-in oven/cooking range, gas stove, refrigerator, blender, and other tools, supplies and materials for the cooperative to start with their business.