Month: September 2024

In a concerted effort to contribute towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 3, the University of the East (UE) and the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) have marked a decade of success with their Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). This 12-year partnership has positively influenced the health and well-being of 60,000 schoolchildren across Eastern Luzon.

Dr. Zosimo Battad, UE president, emphasized that the partnership was established to address malnutrition and enhance the overall development of young learners by providing nutritious meals. He highlighted that using carabao’s milk in the program significantly invests in children’s development.
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to sustainable community development and demonstrates the essential role of academic and governmental institutions in addressing social issues,” said President Battad.

Dr. Rogelio Espiritu, UE’s director of the Office of Extension and Community Outreach, revealed that the university allocates PHP135,000 annually for the SFP, with a total expenditure of PHP1.6 million since 2012. The program is currently implemented in Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, and Cavite.

“Our experts validated the benefits of carabao’s milk, confirming its positive impact on young learners’ development. We then integrated it into our extension program,” Dr. Espiritu noted.

UE also monitors the academic progress of beneficiaries through collaboration with school heads and local health offices. The program’s success has been recognized internationally, with awards presented in Malaysia and Indonesia.

UE, DA-PCC, and the City of Cabuyao, Laguna, signed a Memorandum of Agreement to extend the SFP to local schoolchildren on September 17, 2024. The event featured the distribution of 60,000 packs of sterilized milk to kindergartens, with plans to continue for 120 days.

Mayor Dennis Hain strongly supported the initiative, stating, “The city is committed to reducing or eliminating child malnutrition in Cabuyao. Our partnership with both private and public sectors is crucial, particularly in providing technical expertise.”

“Pagbutihin ang pag-aaral para matutunan ninyo paano gawin [nang ligtas] ang mga produktong gawa sa gatas ng kalabaw. Mas lalaki ang kita ng kooperatiba at ng ating mga farmers sa processed dairy products.”

Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said this during the opening program of the Training on Milk Processing and Post-handling held on September 11-13, 2024 at the Villar SIPAG Farm School, Bacoor, Cavite.

She further encouraged trainees to utilize their newly acquired knowledge and skills in milk processing and post-handling to lead their respective cooperatives and provinces in alleviating poverty and boosting livelihood opportunities.

Sen. Villar stressed the need to facilitate such learning events for farmers to improve their livelihood opportunities. “The country’s food security and agricultural sustainability are crucial,” she added.

The three-day training was a collaborative initiative of the DA-Agricultural Training Institute-CALABARZON (DA-ATI-CALABARZON), DA-Philippine Carabao Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (DA-PCC at UPLB) and Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) Farm School. It aimed to enhance the basic skills and knowledge in milk processing and post-handling practices of DA-PCC-assisted cooperatives.

Twenty-nine participants learned about Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Proper Handling of Milk and Milk by-products, Milk Quality Testing, Processing of Fresh Milk, Choco Milk, White Cheese, and Pastillas.

Dr. Thelma A. Saludes, Agricultural Center Chief IV of DA-PCC at UPLB, emphasized the importance of adhering to proper milk processing and post-handling practices to ensure the safety and quality of milk products supplied particularly for the beneficiaries of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s annual milk feeding program.

“Wala pong shortcut ang quality. Ang DA-PCC po ay nandito upang ibahagi ang wastong pagpoproseso ng gatas at iba pang dairy products para mapanatili ang magandang kalidad. Lalo na sa mga engaged sa Milk Feeding Program, maging diligent in every step na naturo sa inyo para sa quality na end product,” she stated.

Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, Training Center Superintendent II of the DA-ATI CALABARZON, expressed his hope that the trainees and their cooperatives would be one with the DA’s vision of “Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita” for a food-secure Philippines and prosperous farmers.

“Ang tapos [ng training na ito] ay ang simula. ‘Wag tumigil sa pag-explore ng mga kakayahan dahil hindi imposible ang tagumpay. Malaki ang demand sa lokal na supply ng gatas kaya hindi kami tumitigil [kasama ang DA-PCC at DA-Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA)] para mapalawak ang mga ganitong activities,” Dr. Maningas said.

DA-PCA-IV Regional Manager Bibiano C. Concibido Jr. highlighted the carabao’s role in improving the livelihoods of coconut farmers.

“Carabao is one of the programs of PCA with PCC na epektibo sa pagpapataas ng antas ng pamumuhay ng mga magniniyog. Ito pong paggagatas ang may konkretong pag-angat ng kita dahil araw-araw mayroong kita,” he added.

The said training also supports DA-PCC-assisted cooperatives in complying with the Food Safety Act of 2013 (RA 10611) and the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act of 2018 (RA 11037).

Highlighting the contribution of agriculture in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, the annual Bansaulog Festival brought cheer to its local farming community through its 2024 Farmers Day celebration, which opened with a festive carabao parade on September 13.

Nine carabaos were dressed and paraded through the streets of Bansalan, showcasing the municipality’s rich agricultural industry and symbolizing the strength and unity of the active farming community.

With the theme “Pagkaing Mura at Ligtas, Abot Kaya ng Lahat”, Bansalan Mayor Edwin Reyes upheld the important role of the farmers as he dubbed them the “life and blood” of the town. He further stressed that because of the farmers’ efforts and sacrifices, every family can avail of a safe and affordable harvest in town.

During the activity, the Department of Agriculture XI through the National Livestock Program dispersed 500 chickens, five goats, and five carabaos in celebration of the Farmers’ Day.

Furthermore, DA-Philippine Carabao Center at USM Center Director Geoffray R. Atok also pledged to continue, as mandated, the carabao development program in the locality through its programs and services in genetic improvement and carabao-based enterprises.

“With the active support of legislators such as Rep. Atty. John Tracy F. Cagas, we can further develop and enhance the current status of the carabao industry in the province of Davao del Sur where Bansalan is situated,” Director Atok added.

This 72nd Bansaulog festival sets of activities were anchored to this year’s theme “Empowering Communities for a Prosperous Future: Celebrating 72 Years of Unity and Growth.” The term “Bansaulog” is derived from the coined words “Bansalan” and Visayan term “Saulog” or “Celebrate”, which signifies “Kasaulogan sa Bansalan” or “Celebration in Bansalan”.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries from the towns of Bautista and Natividad in Pangasinan have now embarked on carapreneurship as they recently received a total of 17 ready-to-breed female buffaloes.

Said beneficiaries are under the Gatasang Kalabaw Kontra Kagutuman at Kahirapan (GK3K) project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Sustainable Livelihood Program, which aims to help 4Ps beneficiaries establish a stable source of income through carabao-based enterprise.

As part of the initiative, the DSWD-SLP Pangasinan II, together with DA-PCC and LGU-Natividad, entrusted six crossbred buffaloes to Batchelor West Sustainable Livelihood Production Association (SLPA) on August 30, 2024 while five were entrusted to Canarem SLPA on August 7.

In addition, the Tibay Bisig Poponto SLPA of Bautista received six buffaloes on August 14. The DSWD-SLP allocated a total budget of approximately PHP1.2 million to both municipalities.

Following the successful implementation of the GK3K project in Balungao, Pangasinan, these two municipalities are now part of the growing number of communities benefitting from the carabao-based enterprise. After months of preparation, the beneficiaries have begun their journey in dairy buffalo raising.

In preparation for the project, beneficiaries in Natividad underwent dairy buffalo production and management training in June 2024, while their counterparts in Bautista completed the same training in July 2023. Both municipalities are actively supporting the project that they even provided materials for the construction of buffalo shelters.

The GK3K project is a collaborative effort among DSWD, local government units, DA-PCC, and other national government agencies. Its goal is to create sustainable enterprises utilizing carabaos to alleviate poverty and boost the carabao and livestock industries.

Thousands upon thousands of transformed lives—this being the life’s mission of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) and evidently its banner achievement as it sustains support to dairy cooperatives participating in the National Milk Feeding Program.

“It’s not about the DA-PCC but the effects that we aim to create alongside our accountability partners. Our goal is to help curb the nutritional deficiencies of children and at the same time create livelihood opportunities for farmers through this program, led by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),” DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Liza Battad said.

The DA-PCC “flexes” significant achievements of the said program, positively impacting millions of undernourished children nationwide and concurrently boosting the income of farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs), collectively generating a total revenue of PHP2.7 billion.

Said initiative, in line with Republic Act No. 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain Para Sa Batang Pilipino Act of 2018,” showcases the successful collaboration of the DA-PCC, partner-FCAs, the DepEd, the DSWD, and the provincial and local government units.

The program plays a significant role in creating institutional markets that significantly enhance the livelihoods and incomes of FCAs. This initiative has not only addressed the immediate nutritional needs of children but has also paved the way for a more robust dairy industry.

Since the program’s inception in 2019, the number of participating FCAs has grown from 30 to 45 under the DepEd School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP). These FCAs supplied over 112 million milk packs to 1,981,396 beneficiaries in SY 2019-2020; 3,114,948 in SY 2020-2021; 3,503,732 in SY 2021-2022; 3,446,217 in 2022-2023; and 2,054,873 in SY 2023-2024, generating a gross income of PHP2.2 billion. Similarly, under the DSWD Supplementary Feeding Program, the number of active FCAs increased from 8 to 28, delivering over 25 million milk packs to 177,180 beneficiaries during the 10th cycle; 240,502 during the 11th cycle; 283,254 during the 12th cycle; and 157,968 during the 13th cycle, with a gross income of PHP500 million.

The milk feeding program has also created more than 130,000 jobs, including roles in family enterprises, multiplier farms, milk collection, and other segments in the dairy value chain.

Rolly Mateo Sr., chairperson of Bantog Samahang Nayon Multipurpose Cooperative (BSNMPC), Janice Domingo of Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperatives (NEFEDCCO), and Analyn Tade, chairperson of the Rosario Dairy Farmers Cooperative corroborated these reports and shared their respective testimonies and success stories regarding the program.
“Being one of the cooperatives chosen to produce milk products for the program, we were able to hire more than 100 people to work at our processing plant. We somehow helped minimize the number of unemployment caused by the pandemic. Also, part of our earnings gained from the program was used to fund community pantries during the pandemic and medical mission. We are grateful that we were given the opportunity to be part of the Milk Feeding Program’s materialization,” Matteo attested.

Domingo proudly shared that the Milk Feeding Program had helped their federation’s assets increase from PHP8 million in 2018 to PHP28 million in 2021. It even provided jobs to 200 people in their community and with the income they earned, they were able to renovate their office to a three-story building. She also admitted that the program helped them bounce back as they were ensnared in financial distress before they ventured into the feeding program.

Tade noted that the milk feeding program significantly benefitted their cooperative, as reflected in their net surplus of PHP3,651,608 in 2021 and PHP6,218,132 in 2022. The income enabled the co-op to purchase land, part of which was used to build the Elyu Dairy Box—a one-stop-shop for carabao-based products.

To further extend the program’s impact, especially in remote areas where delivering fresh milk is challenging, the DA-PCC and FCAs have turned to retort facilities. These facilities, located in Isabela, Science City of Muñoz, Batangas, and Sorsogon, ensure the safety and quality of milk but also allow for bulk transportation to regions where frequent deliveries are impractical.

These success stories are just a few examples of the positive outcomes of the Milk Feeding Program. They serve as tangible evidence of the program’s intended benefits, which are worth “flexing” and sustaining.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), in collaboration with its assisted farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs), has made food safety a top priority to ensure that every drop of milk supplied to children across the country meets the required standards.

Based on consumer welfare and protection, the DA-PCC’s strategy focuses on enhancing carabao-based products by adhering to the requirements of regulatory agencies. These include compliance with the following standards: DA and Department of Health AO No. 2015-007, Republic Act No. 10611 (Food Safety Act of 2013), Philippine National Standard/Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) 36:2008 for Fresh Milk Specification, National Dairy Authority (NDA) Administrative Circular No. 04 on Dairy Safety Regulations, and Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Circular No. 2022-012 on Revised Guidelines for the Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Processed Foods.

Along this line, the DA-PCC aggressively embarked on initiatives to fulfill the purpose through massive information dissemination and capability building for dairy carabao FCAs.

Each FCA underwent rigorous training in quality testing and food safety to empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain the safety and quality of their milk products.

Among the capability building activities the FCAs participated in included a Food Safety and Hygiene Academy of the Philippines (FoodSHAP®) accredited training for: (1) Basic Food Safety for Food Handlers (2) Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Principles and Practice (3) Food Safety Compliance Officer. They also participated in a series of Business Talk on Food Safety with the theme “Sa Quality Food Safety ang Priority”.

To further guarantee compliance, the DA-PCC has certified food safety compliance officers who strictly monitor the activities of these FCAs and ensure that all food safety specifications are met, from the production and handling of milk to its final distribution.

The milk supplied to the feeding program undergoes thorough inspections—from the milking process on the farm to the packaging stage to the distribution to drop-off points—to ensure that the milk provided is safe and nutritious for children. This attention to detail ensures that the feeding program not only supports the nutritional needs of children but also upholds the reputation of local dairy products and producers.

According to the terms and conditions outlined in the operating memorandum of agreement, an inspection and acceptance report, a delivery sanitation checklist, and certificates of completion, quality assurance, and analysis are issued upon the delivery of milk products. Consequently, 100% of the products accepted by the authorized inspectors have met the required standards and were approved for distribution.

In the same way, safety officers, dairy personnel, and compliance officers are consistently provided with proper training to ensure that farmers are ably assisted. They are also regularly monitored to ensure that the risk management plan is implemented and food safety regulations on safe food production and proper postharvest handling are strictly adhered to.

“The DA-PCC and FCAs work together to promptly address and resolve any operational challenges that may arise. We have 12 PCC regional centers nationwide who have very close relations with the FCAs involved in the program,” DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Liza Battad said.

Among other interventions, the DA-PCC prepared a scalable and efficient risk management plan as a dairy safety regulation, and assisted FCAs to secure a License to Operate (LTO) from NDA.

The DA-PCC also assisted FCAs in securing accreditation to operate as a Civil Society Organization. This enables its assisted FCAs to become active partners in the LGU’s plans and programs. Currently, there are 43 CSO accredited cooperatives nationwide, 13 NDA-LTO accredited, 46 FDA-LTO accredited and are participating in the milk feeding program, and 47 PhilGEPS certified.

This widespread accreditation reflects the robust framework established by DA-PCC to ensure that cooperatives are not only compliant with food safety standards but are also well-positioned to contribute to the country’s nutrition goals. Over the years, these efforts have led to significant achievements under Republic Act No. 11037, also known as the “Masustansyang Pagkain Para Sa Batang Pilipino Act of 2018,” which aims to address hunger and malnutrition among Filipino children.

Through partnerships with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DA-PCC has facilitated the delivery of fresh carabao’s milk and milk-based products to millions of children nationwide. The impact of these programs is evident in the numbers:
Since the program’s inception in 2019, the number of participating FCAs has grown from 30 to 45 under the DepEd School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP). These FCAs supplied over 112 million milk packs to 1,981,396 beneficiaries in SY 2019-2020; 3,114,948 in SY 2020-2021; 3,503,732 in SY 2021-2022; 3,446,217 in 2022-2023; and 2,054,873 in SY 2023-2024, generating a gross income of PHP2.2 billion. Similarly, under the DSWD Supplementary Feeding Program, the number of active FCAs increased from 8 to 28, delivering over 25 million milk packs to 177,180 beneficiaries during the 10th cycle; 240,502 during the 11th cycle; 283,254 during the 12th cycle; and 157,968 during the 13th cycle, with a gross income of PHP500 million.

These figures highlight not only the program’s success in improving child nutrition but also its role in creating a sustainable market for dairy cooperatives. The total revenue generated through these feeding programs amounts to PHP2.7 billion—a significant boost to the livelihoods of small-holder farmers and a testament to the program’s impact in rural communities.

The milk feeding program has also created more than 130,000 jobs, including roles in family enterprises, multiplier farms, milk collection, and other segments in the dairy value chain.

Over the years, the FCAs involved have benefited from a stable market, leading to improved livelihood opportunities for local dairy farmers, their communities, and the broader industry. The increased income has enabled FCAs to invest in the expansion of their processing facilities, the procurement of raw materials for pasteurized milk production, the purchase of packaging and labeling materials, and the acquisition of vehicles for logistics—a manifestation of their committed participation in the program.

The DA-PCC was also able to embark on the establishment of milk laboratories within its 12 regional centers nationwide within the year, offering cooperative members access to milk quality testing services. These initiatives are made possible through a locally funded project spearheaded by Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.