A Step to Uplifting Women and Start Anew: PFMC Shares Knowledge with Female PDLs Through Merienda-Making Training

Experiences as simple as shared baking activities can create the most meaningful opportunities. At the Iloilo City District Jail Female Dormitory, an assortment of simple baking ingredients, shared knowledge, and eager hands became the elements in creating a new chance to learn, earn, and seek new opportunities for women.

In partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Technical Institute of Iloilo City, Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation (PFMC) supported the implementation of the S.E.L.D.A. (Skills Enhancement and Livelihood Development Assistance) Program, a rehabilitation initiative designed to equip Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) with practical, market-relevant skills that can help them build better futures.

Held in celebration of Mother’s Day, the four-day training gathered 30 female PDLs for an immersive workshop on merienda-making. The sessions provided participants with hands-on experience in preparing a variety of well-loved Filipino snacks and baked treats, including Steamed Chocolate Cake, Steamed Banana Cake, Prosperity Cake, Ube Cheese Puto, Ukoy Fritters, Banana Fritters, Vegie Balls, and Carioca.

Throughout the program, PFMC’s team shared proper baking techniques, product knowledge, and practical applications of Family All-Purpose Flour, showcasing the versatility of the product across different recipes. The participants’ enthusiasm filled every session as they actively engaged in discussions, asked thoughtful questions, and eagerly took part in each step of the preparation process.

With this event with female PDLs and having the training in line with Mother’s Day, the program recognizes the important role women play in families and communities. Filipino women are often regarded as the heart of the home; nurturers who bring families together through care, resilience, and, very often, food. Equipping them with baking and merienda-making skills does more than teach a livelihood. It gives a chance to restore their confidence, rekindle purpose, and empower them with opportunities they can carry beyond current circumstances. This serves as a potential hopeful step toward rebuilding life, and a reminder that empowerment often begins with opportunity.

The training was met with great remarks, with both the PDLs and BJMP officers expressing gratitude for the additional knowledge and techniques they gained. Through meaningful partnerships such as this, PFMC continues to show how ingredients can do more than create pastries; it can create meaningful possibilities, restore hope, and inspire fresh beginnings for different communities.