By Chrissalyn Marcelo
5 August 2021 — Another “Dairy Box” outlet and processing facility was formally opened and turned over today by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at University of Southern Mindanao (DA-PCC at USM) to farmers’ cooperative Sta. Catalina Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SCMPC) in Barangay Labuo, President Roxas, Cotabato City.
The facility was established as part of the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) project or popularly known as the “Accelerating Livelihood and Assets Buildup (ALAB)-Karbawan” implemented by DA-PCC and funded by the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar.
This facility, which is a component of a Php10 million-project, aims to serve as a dairy hub where farmers can sell and market their nutritious and healthy carabao’s milk products.
Leading the turnover ceremony were key officials of the DA, local government, and SCMPC. Center director Benjamin John Basilio, community development specialist Paul Andrew Texon, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Congressman Jose Tejada, Municipal Mayor Jonathan Mahimpit, Officer-in-charge Municipal Agriculturist Romel Jaculba, SCMPC Vice chairperson Danilo Baliguat and SCMPC General Manager Ma. Fe Pineda graced the ceremonies. DA-RFO XII Technical Director for Operations Zaldy Boloron, Second District Board Member Philbert Malaluan and Arthur Jared Go from the office of Senator Villar also graced the event to represent DA-RFO XII Director Arlan Mangelen, North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco, and Senator Cynthia Villar, respectively.
Other Dairy Box and processing facilities established by the DA-PCC under its ALAB-Karbawan project can be located in the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bataan, Albay, Palawan, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga Del Sur, and Zamboanga Del Norte.
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