DTI tells veggie breadmakers: Just bake 'em

Department of Trade and Industry (CTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo advised bakers to go ahead with their plan of producing "kalabasa" (squash) and "malunggay" (moringa) bread. Earlier, members of the Philippine Society of Baking (PSB) expressed fears that prices of these vegetables may go up once demand increases, as these goods are used in bread production.

Domingo was guest in today's special edition of Communication and News Exchang Forum (CNEX) and Talking Points aired over PTV-4 and Radyo ng Bayan.

When asked about the concern of the bakers, Domingo said, "there is only one way to find out and that is to try it dahil hindi naman po mahirap ipatubo ang mga tanim na ito. Kaya po kung lumakas ang demand dahil sa kanila, eh marami rin pong magtatanim. Sa tingin ko, hindi muna natin kailangan na mabahala tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng shortage dahil madali naman pong itamin yun."

Just this month, the malunggay and kalabasa pandesal were launched in time with the celebration of World Health Day. The Philippine Federation of Bakers Association Inc. (PFBAI) and the Filipino-Chinese Bakery Association Inc.(FCBAI) both give seminars on how to make this bread.

CNEX and Talking Points are aired over Philippine TV-4, and sponsored by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Philippine News Agency and Philippine Broadcasting Service. Both programs aims to inform the public of various government projects and programs. (PNA)