NAGA CITY, PHILIPPINES — Universal Robina Corporation (URC) Flour has officially expanded its regional MSME empowerment initiative to the Bicol Region, bringing its acclaimed Sugod Bakery Caravan to Naga City today, September 17 and 18, right alongside the city’s grand annual celebration of the Peñafrancia Festival.
This key event marks the 5th leg of URC Flour’s nationwide tour for 2026, building on the success of earlier stops in Lucban and Sariaya in Quezon Province, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro City. To make the occasion even more festive and impactful for the local community, the Sugod Bakery Caravan has been integrated into Naga’s vibrant Tagboan Festival, providing a dynamic educational hub for bakeshop owners, neighborhood bakers, and aspiring food entrepreneurs from Naga City and nearby municipalities.
At the center of the event is URC Flour’s Sugod Bakery Van, serving as a mobile classroom on wheels. Over the course of the two-day activation, local participants are receiving hands-on technical training, observing live baking demonstrations focused on commercial efficiency and yield optimization, and learning updated bakeshop management techniques directly from industry experts.
“Our presence here in Naga City during the Peñafrancia and Tagboan Festivals reflects a deep commitment that goes beyond standard event sponsorship. We are coming to Naga as a long-term partner dedicated to uplifting local bakeshop owners and craftspeople,” said URC Flour Management. “By bringing our mobile bakery classroom directly to neighborhood bakers, we are delivering practical upskilling, cost-optimization strategies, and helpful baking technology. Empowering local bakers to refine their craft and run more efficient operations is how we help build countryside enterprises that endure.”
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Naga City expressed strong support for the partnership, recognizing the caravan’s role in driving economic growth, elevating local skill sets, and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during one of the region’s largest cultural and religious celebrations.
This leg reaffirms URC Flour’s ongoing commitment to providing an accessible platform for members of the local baking industry to sharpen their skills, improve product quality, and boost production yields. As an added highlight of the Naga leg, participants are competing for top honors in a specialized baking showcase. The baker who creates the winning best bread entry will earn the privilege of serving as the regional representative for the activity’s nationwide grand finale, BIDA SA MASA 2026, scheduled for this coming November at the Baker John Academy in Pasig City.
Local bakery owners, commercial operators, neighborhood bakers, and baking enthusiasts throughout the Bicol region are invited to join the free interactive sessions taking place today and tomorrow during the festival festivities to gain practical insights and help take their baking businesses to new heights.
