The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), as commissioned by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), has recently awarded several equipment to two carabao-based cooperatives in Batangas and Cebu.
These efforts are still part of the Enterprise Development Component of the PCC-funded project titled Building Capacity and Strengthening Partnership for Carabao Development Program (CDP). The component provides relevant interventions identified in the recommendations of the Value Chain Analysis Study conducted by SEARCA for PCC covering carabao-based enterprises across the country. The interventions range from knowledge sharing to provision of support services and resources to the cooperative beneficiaries identified by the PCC National Headquarters.
PCC Ubay Stock Farm (USF)
Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with SEARCA and PCC on 9 November 2017 for the project titled Provision of Equipment to LAMAC Dairy Outlet (The Dairy Box - Cebu) amounting to PHP 660,000.00, which aims to enhance existing processing facilities of LAMAC MPC to help initiate milk product marketing in Cebu.
On 8 March 2018, LAMAC MPC at The Dairy Box in Parian, Cebu City initially received one air conditioning unit, three upright freezers, and one upright chiller. The gelato ice cream maker, hard ice cream maker, and soft ice cream maker will be turned over in April 2018.
Ms. Nancy M. Landicho, Program Specialist and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the SEARCA Project Development and Technical Services (PDTS), briefly introduced the organization and how the Center provides technical assistance through projects funded by international organizations as well as Philippine government agencies. She mentioned that LAMAC is the 13th cooperative beneficiary of PCC and SEARCA for this project and that the procurement for LAMAC MPC was one of the fastest because of their cooperation.
Ms. Guillerma Abay-abay, PCC USF Carabao-based Enterprise Development (CBED) Coordinator, thanked SEARCA and LAMAC MPC for helping her in gathering the necessary documents for the procurement of said items. She mentioned that PCC will never get tired of helping improve the quality of life of farmers. She added that PCC USF, through the leadership of Dr. Caro Salces, made sure that the equipment and materials that will be turned over to the cooperative are indeed what they currently need.
SEARCA and PCC's efforts were recognized by LAMAC MPC during the turnover ceremony and were both given certificates of appreciation. Mr. Delfin P. Tuguib, LAMAC MPC Chair, expressed their heartfelt thanks to SEARCA and PCC and mentioned that the highlight of their 27th year anniversary is promoting the dairy industry by encouraging Cebuanos to drink milk because of its various health benefits.
He added that they have partnerships with the local government units (LGUs) to train 30 females in food processing of carabao products and with the Tourism Board of Cebu to conduct the First Carabao Festival in Cebu on 11 May 2018.
Meanwhile, Ms. Maria Elena Limocon, LAMAC MPC General Manager, said that they will work hard to grow the dairy industry in Cebu to benefit more farmers.
Other representatives from SEARCA at the awarding ceremony include Ms. Sarah Grace Quiñones, Project Coordinator, and Ms. Marie Cris Mendoza, Property and Supply Assistant.
PCC University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
Rosario Dairy Raisers' Association (RODRA) signed the MOA with SEARCA and PCC on 13 February 2018 for the project titled Forage Conservation and Milk Handling Support for Resilient Carabao-based Dairy Enterprise in Region 4A- Luzon, Philippines which amounts to PHP 980,907.00. The project aims to have available quality feeds throughout the year to improve the reproductive condition of the animals for consistent production and supply of raw milk and to ensure quality level of milk production, collection, and distribution to install quality-based pricing scheme.
On 14 March 2018, partial distribution of one motorcycle with sidecar and one Lactosan Milk Analyzer for RODRA was held at the municipal hall of Rosario, Batangas. SEARCA and PCC UPLB facilitated the activity, which was graced by Honorable Manuel B. Alvarez, Municipal Mayor of Rosario, Batangas; and Mr. Hilarion Marasigan, Chair of RODRA, with their Board members.
SEARCA was represented by Mr. Edmund Ubaldo, Purchaser, and Mr. Ronald Salazar, Project Assistant, while PCC UPLB was represented by its Dr. Thelma Saludes, OIC Center Director, and Ms. Anna Reylene Montes, CBED Coordinator.
A total of 15 cooperative beneficiaries (13 in Luzon and two in Visayas) had received various equipment, tools, supplies, and vehicles from SEARCA and PCC. The turnover to General Trias Dairy Raisers' Multi-Purpose Cooperative is scheduled in May 2018.
