By Maria Asumpta Estefanie C. Reyes | October 27, 2025

TARLAC CITY (PIA) — At least 20 participants composed of students and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) representatives in Tarlac have learned new skills in bamboo-based food production from a training organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Held at the Tarlac Capitol Center, the activity, facilitated through the Negosyo Center in Ramos, featured the preparation of two innovative dishes—pickled bamboo shoots (atsarang labong) and bamboo shoots pasta (labong pasta).

According to DTI, these not only highlighted the versatility of bamboo as an ingredient but also opened doors for new food business ideas using readily available resources.

Maria Lourdes Arboleda, owner of Arboleda’s Kitchen and an advocate of creative food processing, served as the resource speaker during the training. 

She guided participants through each step of the process, from sourcing and cleaning bamboo shoots to cooking and packaging the final products,and shared practical tips on food safety, flavor enhancement, and potential market appeal.

For participant Ayenne Jeign Linsangan, the training sparked new ideas for her future business projects.

“This was the right training for me because, as a first-year entrepreneurship student, this skills training is great for us, and we learned a lot because it is new and something we can apply in our course,” she shared. 

Meanwhile, DTI OIC-Provincial Director Florencia Balilo emphasized the significance of the activity.

“Programs like this open the eyes of our participants to the many possibilities of bamboo. It encourages them to think creatively and come up with new, useful products from this natural resource. These efforts not only help our communities grow economically but also promote a way of doing business that takes care of our environment,” Balilo said.

With initiatives like this, DTI continues to empower students and MSMEs to pursue sustainable business practices. (MJSC/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)