Marc Claro, a local entrepreneur from Iligan City, was honored as the Most Outstanding Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) in the Micro Enterprise Category during the 2025 Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs on August 18, 2025 at Malacañan Palace. Claro received the award for his enterprise, Heaven’s Bakehaus & Enterprises.
Heaven’s Bakehaus & Enterprises is a community-driven bakery that is known for its flagship product, Piaya de Iligan.
Founded in 2012 with his wife Roly Ann and with a capital of P5,000, the enterprise began as a means to support a single mother under their care.
Over the years, it expanded to provide employment to out-of-school youth, persons with disabilities, and soon-to-retire workers.
Despite the challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, Heaven’s Bakehaus remained resilient by adopting flexible work arrangements and improving operations through productivity tools such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GM), 5S, and Lean Manufacturing.
In 2021, it became a licensed adopter of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI’s) Enhanced Nutribun, contributing to public feeding programs while ensuring business continuity.
The enterprise has additionally earned multiple accolades, including the DOST SETUP PRAISE Award and recognition as Iligan City’s Best Pasalubong Product in 2024.
Rooted in its purpose and social responsibility, the enterprise continues to use local ingredients and create livelihood opportunities, proving that a small bakery can make a big impact with compassion, innovation, and resilience.
The Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs is given to recognize and reward exemplary achievements of outstanding MSMEs and highlight good business practices.
It is a national initiative that is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
