Juju M. Empuerto
CEBU CITY, June 17 (PIA)
– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas
through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) has poured P10 million into a
dairy production project in five towns in Bohol.
The project involves carabao-based small dairy production, milk
collection, and raw milk pasteurization for 500 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4Ps) partner-beneficiaries, according to DSWD-7 Regional Director
Mercedita Jabagat.
Jabagat added that the identified pilot areas for the dairy
commodity cluster model project are the towns of Ubay, Mabini, Alicia, San
Miguel and Dagohoy.
“The pilot areas are considered as bright spot in dairy farming
and to further strengthen the local dairy industry we tied up with the
Philippine Carabao Center and in coordination with the Provincial Government of
Bohol,” said the social welfare and development official.
Under the partnership, the identified 4Ps beneficiaries will be
trained on carabao dairy micro-enterprise development.
“Each beneficiary will be provided with one carabao so that they
could start on their own business,” Jabagat added.
The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) will provide technical
assistance on animal production, animal health, forage production, dairy
production and processing.
“Before the start of the technical trainings, we will also ensure
that they are socially prepared and ready to accept the challenge so that they
could actively participate in the local economy as entrepreneurs,” Jabagat emphasized.
A technical working group composed of representatives from DSWD-7,
PCC-7 and local government units (LGUs) will conduct regular monitoring and
evaluation to ensure the sustainability of the program. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/
with reports from Kerwin Macopia/DSWD7)