Engr. Fortunato H. Lim is starting his processed meat business with his son, Richard. Having a knack for business, he always grabs every business opportunity that comes his way. He got the idea of processed meat production when both father and son attended an Off-Center Course on Meat Processing in Cebu. A group of businessmen organized the course with ATI-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH) in 2005.
Ms. Mariquez Sison and Ms. Amy Eguia, both ITCPH’s technical staff were the lecturers. Motivated and happy with the new learnings, Mang Forting and Richard ventured into processed meat production.
Right now, they are producing pork tocino and beef tapa. These products are supplied to “tapsilogan” stores in 70-gram pack which is good for single orders. According to Richard, “we modified the recipes given to us to suit the taste of the consumers, particularly the spices. We also adapted the pork tapa recipe to have the beef tapa”. So far, these are the most marketable processed products in the city and can compete with the famous brands.
This is just one of the businesses of the well-known Lims in Bohol, one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Philippines. They are well-known businessmen in the province. In fact, Mang Forting is the Vice-President for External Affairs of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
The family has lots of businesses in the province, ranging from agricultural products and supplies to food supplement distribution to rental of equipment and machineries, meat shop, and now, processed meat production. Their businesses extend to Cebu and Negros Oriental. Mang Forting has 14 agri-vet stores with three (3) main branches and 11 under franchise agreement. Their 200 outlets spread all over Bohol and nearby provinces.
Also, he has a pig farm with 50 sows. He started his farm way back in 1975 with only two (2) sows. Since then, he distributes piglets to farmers as a marketing strategy for his agri-vet stores. Farmers buy feeds and biologics/medicines from his stores. A half-a-million biogas facility was installed to lessen pollution in the area. It is being used for water supply (recycled), electricity, and cooking needs, not only inside the farm but also of his neighbors. The farm is located in a residential area. Further, he has a boar for hire which is the life blood of his agri-vet stores. That is why he attended the National Course on Artificial Insemination in Pigs at ATI-ITCPH. And Mang Forting has already bought equipment for his AI boar facility. All he needs is time to get down to work, and make the “new” business operational and successful.
In all these, Richard and his siblings are Mang Forting’s partners. And such partnership would never stop…as long as opportunities are there! – Liberty O. Inciong
