Inside the Iligan City Jail, transformation is quietly taking shape—one loaf at a time. A three-day baking training program is equipping persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) with practical skills and renewed purpose, helping them prepare for life beyond detention.
Bringing its core value of responsibility to the fore, Aboitiz Foods subsidiary Pilmico Foods Corporation partnered with Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Iligan to roll out the Baking Behind Bars program.
An initiative of MSU-IIT’s WE CARE Office, the program aims to provide sustainable livelihood skills to PDLs, enabling them to reintegrate as productive members of society. A total of 37 participants—24 men and 13 women—underwent intensive, hands-on training in bread and pastry production from March 12 to 14, 2026, at the BJMP Iligan baking facility.
Nurturing potential beyond prison walls
For many PDLs, the barriers to reintegration extend far beyond incarceration, with stigma often limiting opportunities for a fresh start. Programs like Baking Behind Bars aim to dismantle these barriers by equipping participants with skills that can translate into livelihood.
Pilmico views the initiative as part of its broader commitment to community empowerment. Through expert-led workshops and the provision of high-quality flour, the program transforms correctional facilities into spaces for rehabilitation and personal growth.
Rodulfo Orong, Quality Assurance Supervisor for Flour Operations at Pilmico, emphasized the deeper purpose behind the training.
“The Baking Behind Bars program reflects Aboitiz Foods’ commitment to creating shared value, especially for marginalized communities. By equipping PDLs with skills, we help open pathways to sustainable livelihoods and renewed hope,” he said.
A pathway to reintegration
Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of bread-making, including flour characteristics, ingredient functionality, and basic costing—key competencies for those who may pursue small-scale bakery ventures.
Using equipment provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), trainees produced items such as cheesy malunggay pandesal, cheesy onion pandesal, and oatmeal cookies—recipes they can eventually share with their families or develop into income-generating products.
To sustain the initiative, MSU-IIT and BJMP Iligan are exploring the launch of a “Bread on Wheels” project, which will enable families of PDLs to sell baked goods through mobile outlets, turning newly acquired skills into viable sources of income.
City Jail Warden JCINSP Carmelo A. Corsame underscored the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful social impact.
“When our PDLs knead dough, they are also shaping their future. This initiative is about dignity, second chances, and reconnecting with family and community,” Corsame said.
Creating shared value at the margins
Beyond technical training, Baking Behind Bars underscores a broader message: that access to knowledge and opportunity can spark real change—even in the most constrained environments.
“I used to think my hands were only for mistakes. Now, I see they can create something my children might one day enjoy,” shared one participant.
Through initiatives like this, Aboitiz Foods, through Pilmico, continues to demonstrate that creating shared value means empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and building pathways toward a more inclusive future.