A 60-year-old micro-entrepreneur in Agusan del Norte province has turned a simple family delicacy into a growing regional enterprise, making strides in local markets with her homemade malunggay (moringa) chips.
Miriam Villarivera, a retired bank employee from Buenavista town, first made the chips for family, friends and neighbors.
Encouraged by the Department of Trade and Industry in Agusan del Norte (DTI-ADN), she later expanded production to supply schools and offices in her hometown.
By last year, Villarivera’s malunggay chips expanded their reach to a broader market, being available in schools, offices, stores and institutions across the cities of Butuan and Tandag, along with other areas in the region.
The main ingredient of her product was easy to source. With about 20 fully grown malunggay trees in her backyard and additional supply from neighbors, production was steady.
“Malunggay is a common plant here. I also bought from our neighbors when needed,” Villarivera said in an interview on Wednesday.
Seeing the potential market, she sought advice from friends and was referred to the DTI-ADN in 2024.
That year, she attended a packaging seminar with other aspiring entrepreneurs.
“The DTI-ADN helped me conceptualize the packaging of my product until we came out with a final design. I am thankful for their help,” she said.
The agency also connected her to trade fairs in Butuan City, where her chips were introduced as a healthy snack option for schools and offices.
“A small pack is priced at PHP10, which is affordable to students, while the big packs are sold at PHP40,” Villarivera said.
In 2025, she was producing more than 800 packs a month and delivering every two weeks.
Buenavista town remained its biggest market, with about 500 packs per cycle, followed by Tandag City in Surigao del Sur with 180 to 200 packs, and Butuan City with 150 to 200 packs.
From plain flavor, the chips have since expanded to chili, chili cheese, barbecue and sour cream onion flavors.
Her husband, Diosdado, 59, a former elected official, now devotes his time to supporting the business, helping with deliveries and connecting to more markets across the province.
Strong sales last year allowed Villarivera to purchase a dehydrator to dry malunggay leaves.
She stated that she does not intend to seek more capital or use government financing programs, instead trusting in consistent sales.
“What we are focusing on is expanding our markets, especially to schools, offices, and cooperatives,” she said. (PNA)
