Sign In
Two entrepreneurs from Mapandan, Pangasinan are finding success in agriculture after shifting careers and receiving support from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
In Mapandan, Pangasinan, two men are redefining the local agricultural landscape. Through the Office of the Vice President’s Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day (MTD) program, a returning OFW and an Engineer have proven that with the right tools, small-scale farming can become a high-impact business.
The OFW’s Homecoming: Roberto Parenia’s Mushroom Mission
The year 2022 marked a new chapter for Roberto Parenia. After years of working abroad, he returned to his hometown with a singular goal: to build a sustainable life without being separated from his family.
He chose mushroom farming, a venture that was still uncommon in his community. "Mushrooms are sensitive to their environment," Roberto explains. "Success requires not just persistence, but a high level of meticulousness."
Today, his dedication has turned his farm into a local success story, harvesting 10 kilograms of mushrooms daily. These "superfoods" are highly sought-after for their dense nutrient profile. Mushrooms are packed with:
• Selenium: A powerful mineral that helps create antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage.
• Vitamin D: Essential for boosting immune function and reducing inflammation.
• Vitamin B6: A vital nutrient that helps the body form red blood cells and proteins.
As demand for his harvest grew, Roberto needed to scale. Through the MTD program, he acquired an electric water pump, allowing him to stabilize his production and secure his future at home.
From Engineer to Agri-Tech: Venneson Peria’s Hydroponic Journey
Trading blueprints for lettuce beds, Engr. Venneson Peria proves that the engineering discipline is a perfect match for modern agriculture.
Launched at the height of the 2020 pandemic, his hydroponic lettuce farm uses a soil-less, water-based system that is technically demanding but highly efficient.
By controlling every variable of the growing process, Engr. Peria produces premium lettuce that is a staple for wellness and healthy living.
Lettuce is packed with:
• Vitamin K: Crucial for maintaining bone strength and effective blood clotting.
• Vitamin A: High in Beta-carotene to support healthy vision and a robust immune system.
• Folate (Vitamin B9): A key nutrient for DNA synthesis and cellular repair.
• Hydration & Fiber: With over 95% water content, it promotes natural hydration and aids digestion.
As his farm expanded, the OVP’s MTD program provided the critical equipment needed to elevate his operations, turning his backyard project into a commercial supplier for stores across Pangasinan.
Empowering Local Producers: OVP’s MTD Program in Action
Seeking to elevate their businesses, both Roberto and Venneson tapped into the Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program, where they each received ₱15,000 worth of livelihood assistance.
The impact of this "just-in-time" intervention is clear:
• Engr. Peria now supplies fresh, nutrient-dense lettuce to a growing network of health enthusiasts and retail stores.
• Roberto Parenia is no longer a stranger to his children; he has successfully transitioned from an OFW to a thriving local producer.
Through the MTD program, the Office of the Vice President continues to support small business owners, ensuring that local producers have the tools they need to strengthen their livelihoods and nourish their communities.
The MTD Multiplier Effect: Investing in Self-Reliance
The MTD program is designed to provide "just-in-time" capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Target Beneficiaries: Women, OFWs, LGBTQ individuals, and small-scale local producers.
The Gap-Fill Strategy: Unlike large bank loans, MTD provides accessible grants (e.g., ₱15,000) specifically for equipment—the most common bottleneck for small businesses.
Economic Impact:
• Reverse Migration: Helping OFWs trade foreign contracts for local success.
• Food Security: Increasing the local supply of high-nutrient produce.
• Market Integration: Moving farmers from "subsistence" to "supplier" status.
The OFW’s Homecoming: Roberto Parenia’s Mushroom Mission
The year 2022 marked a new chapter for Roberto Parenia. After years of working abroad, he returned to his hometown with a singular goal: to build a sustainable life without being separated from his family.
He chose mushroom farming, a venture that was still uncommon in his community. "Mushrooms are sensitive to their environment," Roberto explains. "Success requires not just persistence, but a high level of meticulousness."
Today, his dedication has turned his farm into a local success story, harvesting 10 kilograms of mushrooms daily. These "superfoods" are highly sought-after for their dense nutrient profile. Mushrooms are packed with:
• Selenium: A powerful mineral that helps create antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage.
• Vitamin D: Essential for boosting immune function and reducing inflammation.
• Vitamin B6: A vital nutrient that helps the body form red blood cells and proteins.
As demand for his harvest grew, Roberto needed to scale. Through the MTD program, he acquired an electric water pump, allowing him to stabilize his production and secure his future at home.
From Engineer to Agri-Tech: Venneson Peria’s Hydroponic Journey
Trading blueprints for lettuce beds, Engr. Venneson Peria proves that the engineering discipline is a perfect match for modern agriculture.
Launched at the height of the 2020 pandemic, his hydroponic lettuce farm uses a soil-less, water-based system that is technically demanding but highly efficient.
By controlling every variable of the growing process, Engr. Peria produces premium lettuce that is a staple for wellness and healthy living.
Lettuce is packed with:
• Vitamin K: Crucial for maintaining bone strength and effective blood clotting.
• Vitamin A: High in Beta-carotene to support healthy vision and a robust immune system.
• Folate (Vitamin B9): A key nutrient for DNA synthesis and cellular repair.
• Hydration & Fiber: With over 95% water content, it promotes natural hydration and aids digestion.
As his farm expanded, the OVP’s MTD program provided the critical equipment needed to elevate his operations, turning his backyard project into a commercial supplier for stores across Pangasinan.
Empowering Local Producers: OVP’s MTD Program in Action
Seeking to elevate their businesses, both Roberto and Venneson tapped into the Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program, where they each received ₱15,000 worth of livelihood assistance.
The impact of this "just-in-time" intervention is clear:
• Engr. Peria now supplies fresh, nutrient-dense lettuce to a growing network of health enthusiasts and retail stores.
• Roberto Parenia is no longer a stranger to his children; he has successfully transitioned from an OFW to a thriving local producer.
Through the MTD program, the Office of the Vice President continues to support small business owners, ensuring that local producers have the tools they need to strengthen their livelihoods and nourish their communities.
The MTD Multiplier Effect: Investing in Self-Reliance
The MTD program is designed to provide "just-in-time" capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Target Beneficiaries: Women, OFWs, LGBTQ individuals, and small-scale local producers.
The Gap-Fill Strategy: Unlike large bank loans, MTD provides accessible grants (e.g., ₱15,000) specifically for equipment—the most common bottleneck for small businesses.
Economic Impact:
• Reverse Migration: Helping OFWs trade foreign contracts for local success.
• Food Security: Increasing the local supply of high-nutrient produce.
• Market Integration: Moving farmers from "subsistence" to "supplier" status.
Dalawang negosyante mula sa Mapandan, Pangasinan ang ang sinuportahan ng Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day (MTD) program ng Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Si Roberto Parenia, isang dating Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), ay umuwi noong 2022 matapos ang ilang taong pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Sa hangaring makasama ang kanyang pamilya habang kumikita, pinasok niya ang mushroom farming—isang negosyong hindi pa gaanong laganap sa kanilang komunidad noon.
Sa kabila ng mga hamon sa pagsisimula ng negosyo, buong tiyaga at determinasyon niya itong itinaguyod. Hindi nagtagal, nagbunga ang kanyang pagsisikap. Ngayon, nakakabenta siya ng tinatayang sampung kilo ng mushroom kada araw sa halagang ₱200 kada kilo.
Samantala, si Engineer Venneson Peria ay pinasok ang Hydroponic lettuce farming
noong 2020, kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic. Sa tulong ng kanyang teknikal na kaalaman, nakapagtatag si ng farm gamit ang hydroponics—isang mas moderno at kontroladong paraan ng pagtatanim.
Habang patuloy na lumalago ang kanyang negosyo, patuloy rin siyang namumuhunan sa mga kagamitan upang mapanatili at mapahusay ang produksyon. Sa ngayon, nagsu-supply na ang kanyang lettuce farm ng sariwang ani sa mga health-conscious na mamimili at iba’t ibang tindahan sa buong Pangasinan.
Kapwa benepisyaryo sina Parenia at Peria ng Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day (MTD) Program ng Office of the Vice President (OVP), na nagbibigay ng tulong pangkabuhayan sa maliliit na negosyante.
Sa pamamagitan ng programa, tumanggap sila ng tig-₱15,000 na suporta na kanilang ginamit upang mapahusay ang kanilang mga farm at mapalawak ang kanilang operasyon.
Dahil sa tulong ng MTD Program, si Parenia ay hindi na kailangang mangibang-bansa at mawalay sa kanyang pamilya upang kumita, habang patuloy namang pinapalago ni Peria ang kanyang negosyo sa agrikultura.
Sa pamamagitan ng MTD program, patuloy na nakapagbibigay ng oportunidad ang OVP upang mapatatag ng mga Pilipinong maliliit na negosyante ang kanilang kabuhayan.
Si Roberto Parenia, isang dating Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), ay umuwi noong 2022 matapos ang ilang taong pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Sa hangaring makasama ang kanyang pamilya habang kumikita, pinasok niya ang mushroom farming—isang negosyong hindi pa gaanong laganap sa kanilang komunidad noon.
Sa kabila ng mga hamon sa pagsisimula ng negosyo, buong tiyaga at determinasyon niya itong itinaguyod. Hindi nagtagal, nagbunga ang kanyang pagsisikap. Ngayon, nakakabenta siya ng tinatayang sampung kilo ng mushroom kada araw sa halagang ₱200 kada kilo.
Samantala, si Engineer Venneson Peria ay pinasok ang Hydroponic lettuce farming
noong 2020, kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic. Sa tulong ng kanyang teknikal na kaalaman, nakapagtatag si ng farm gamit ang hydroponics—isang mas moderno at kontroladong paraan ng pagtatanim.
Habang patuloy na lumalago ang kanyang negosyo, patuloy rin siyang namumuhunan sa mga kagamitan upang mapanatili at mapahusay ang produksyon. Sa ngayon, nagsu-supply na ang kanyang lettuce farm ng sariwang ani sa mga health-conscious na mamimili at iba’t ibang tindahan sa buong Pangasinan.
Kapwa benepisyaryo sina Parenia at Peria ng Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day (MTD) Program ng Office of the Vice President (OVP), na nagbibigay ng tulong pangkabuhayan sa maliliit na negosyante.
Sa pamamagitan ng programa, tumanggap sila ng tig-₱15,000 na suporta na kanilang ginamit upang mapahusay ang kanilang mga farm at mapalawak ang kanilang operasyon.
Dahil sa tulong ng MTD Program, si Parenia ay hindi na kailangang mangibang-bansa at mawalay sa kanyang pamilya upang kumita, habang patuloy namang pinapalago ni Peria ang kanyang negosyo sa agrikultura.
Sa pamamagitan ng MTD program, patuloy na nakapagbibigay ng oportunidad ang OVP upang mapatatag ng mga Pilipinong maliliit na negosyante ang kanilang kabuhayan.