It is not just the heart of tourism in the province, but the municipality of Carmen has also now become a history maker in the field of dairy business enterprise as it launched the first-ever Dairy Box outlet in Bohol on August 17, 2017 at Camanayon, Tamboan, Carmen, Bohol.
Managed by Tamboan Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TFMPC), the outlet is dubbed “Dairy Box of Bohol Dairy” and it is the 2nd outlet in the entire country.
Dairy Box is a modern yet local business model created by the Business Development and Commercialization Unit (BDCU) of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to showcase the various carabao-based products on top of the locally-produced consignments. It is commonly handled by a cooperative.
“Sa buong Pilipinas ay iisa lamang ang itsura ng Dairy Box. Dahil naniniwala kami na ‘yong pagmamahal ng PCC sa kanyang kliyente ay pinapatunayan ng iisang layunin lamang”, explained Dr. Liza Battad, chief of the Planning, Information and Management Division (PIMD) of PCC, in her message during the launching program.
In his statement of purpose, Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio, executive director of PCC, emphasized that the Dairy Box is a response to one of the findings of a Value Chain Analysis conducted two years ago stating that one of the reasons why carabao-related programs are not expanding is due to lack of market.
“Dati, puro kalabaw lang pinag-uusapan namin, dispersal, paiwi… without focusing on the market. And this Dairy Box will complete the Value Chain”, Dr. del Barrio added.
The establishment of the Dairy Box of Bohol Dairy was realized through the collaborative efforts of both government and non-government organizations. During the program, this was highlighted thru a symbolic simultaneous milk toasting and milk drinking among the representatives from private institutions and government agencies together with the selected schoolchildren and parents, which was facilitated by Dr. Caro B. Salces, center director of PCC at Ubay Stock Farm (USF).
The milk toast further symbolizes Bohol’s united goal of making Bohol the milk Capital of the Visayas and supporting the production of at least 10% increase of the total demand in line with the national government’s goal.
Emphasizing the importance of multi-sectoral collaborations, Mr. Isabelito “Tatay Billy” Tongco, who represented Gov. Edgar M. Chatto of the province of Bohol cited in his keynote address prior to the milk toast, that an activity can achieve its goals and success if there is enthusiasm, faithfulness to help, unity, coordination, and diligence among partners, recipients and constituents.
Mr. Tiongco further expressed the governor’s commitment to support the cooperative and its initiatives as the latter sees the beauty and the significant contributions it can bring to the entire province.
Counterparting the edifice of Dairy Box was the TFMPC and Bohol Dairy Cooperative (BODACO) that contributed Php422,366.89 each. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) will grant Php514,864.00 as its starter kit or capital fund while PCC and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) allocated Php1.3 million for building enhancement, and promotional activities and materials. The local government unit (LGU) of Carmen also extended technical and industrial support.
“Dili nako matukib ang kalipay nga akong gibati karong panahon nga naghimo ta aning launching sa dairy box… (I cannot contain the happiness I feel right now that we are doing this launching of the dairy box…)”, expressed Ms. Jesusa Danila, chairperson of TFMPC as she described how they have dreamt and worked hard for this moment to happen for the past two years.
She further expressed her gratitude to all the partners for their love and trust in extending fund support to the cooperative.
“Ug kining tanan nga among nahuptan karon, pinaagi sa among pagdumala amo kining ampingan ug among palambuon pinaagi sa panabang sa balaang espiritu santo nga kining tanan mapadayon ug magmalambuon hangtod sa sunod nga mga henerasyon.(and all these things that have been entrusted to us, through our management, we will make it grow, with the intervention of the Holy Spirit, that all of these will be sustainable and successful until the next generation)”, she added.
Atty. Eliezer Cagol, Jr., municipal administrator from the LGU of Carmen also expressed his gratitude for choosing the town to house the 1st Dairy Box in the province. He further expressed the LGU’s continuous support to the coop’s endeavors.
Also expressing their support by gracing the event are: Hon. Manuel Valentos, barangay captain of Tamboan; Engr. Rene Espinosa from the Office of the Congressman of the 3rd District of Bohol, Mr. Cresente Vistal, DSWD-SLP Provincial Coordinator of Bohol, Mr. Ely Cañete from the office of the Vice-Governor, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, Tamboan barangay kagawads, and the members of TFMPC and Tamboan Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (Tamboan SLPA).
A ribbon cutting ceremony was done towards the end of the program. There were also an unlimited ice cream for an hour, discounted prices of some products, and milk feeding program in Tamboan Elementary School.
