The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched a community-based dairy enterprise development project that would help carabao farmers become dairy entrepreneurs in Cagayan Valley.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said DOST Region II, in partnership with the local government unit of San Agustin, launched a dairy project benefitting the San Agustin Dairy Cooperative (SADACO) through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program.
"The project aims to upgrade the economic enterprise activities of the dairy milk production in Isabela. Its main goal is to transform the owners from a carabao-raiser into a progressive dairy farmer,” he said during his weekly report on Friday, June 11.
He noted that town of San Agustin is one of the CEST-assisted communities in Region II.
“It has made high marks in the carabao crossbreeding and is often called as the “crossbred carabao capital of the Philippines“ by official farmers in the town,” the DOST chief said.
He said under the project, DOST II has allotted P500,000 “for product upgrading, transport packaging, product labelling, and for training.”
The launch of San Agustin Dairy project was held virtually on June 4.
Aiming to bring science closer to the people, de la Peña directed the DOST Provincial Science and Technology (S&T) Center in Isabela to provide assistance to the identified CEST community.
“May these projects serve as a reminder and encouragement for us to continuously serve the people of this nation,” the DOST chief said in his message during the virtual launch.
“May our services be done out of love and reverence for our country and our fellow Filipinos. Our CEST program exists for this and as the years go by, let us continue to push this program forward in order to reach more communities in our country,” he added.
SADACO chairperson Engr. Blas V. Lamug Jr. expressed gratitude to the DOST II for its assistance. assuring that it will be used to help improve the carabao farmers’ livelihood.
DOST PSTC-Isabela Director Luco Calimag, San Agustin Municipal Mayor Larry Mark Guerrero and his representative, retired Center Director of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) Dr. Franklin T. Rellin also attended the event.
Isabela Governor Rodolfo T. Albano III and his representative, PCC Regional Director Dr. Rovina Pinera, LPGMA partylist Rep. Allan Y. Ty, and Isabela 4th district Rep. Sheena Tan-Dy likewise expressed support to the San Agustin Dairy project.