A BROADENING PERSPECTIVE BUILDS UP IN BOHOL

Chocomilk, lactojuice, and pastillas. These are only some of the products that one can relish upon visiting the two Dairy Box outlets ran by the Bohol Dairy Cooperative (BODACO) in Barangay Tamboan, Carmen in Bohol and in the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City.

The cooperative’s history dates back to 1998. At that time, the Ubay Dairy Multi- Purpose Cooperative (UDAMCO) was created and received Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes from the PCC@USF. Additionally, another cooperative sprang up in that town and was named as Mabini Dairy Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MADAMCO).

The PCC@USF trained the members of these cooperatives in processing products from the buffalo’s milk. Also, they were given the needed knowledge on the aspects of proper handling of fund and on how to lead and strengthen their camaraderie.

To further the marketing of their products, the cooperatives agreed to merge and became the Ubay Carabao Raisers Association. Soon after, the Ubay Federation of Carabao Raisers and Related Associations (UFECARRA) came into being.

But, the federation got entangled with big problems. The sales of its dairy products plummeted and many farmer-members became inactive. Hence, it stopped its operation. To help them, the PCC@USF temporarily handled the processing and marketing of their products.

In 2014, the PCC@USF successfully helped rebuilt what remained of the federation, which led to the birth of “Bohol Dairy Producers Association” (BoDPA). Unlike before, apart from having members from the towns of Ubay and Mabini, others from Alicia, San Miguel and Dagohoy in the same province also joined BoDPA.

After one year, BoDPA obtained a total income of Php6,048,057.84 from the products it sold. It also started to share patronage refund and interest to the share capital of its members.

Through the help of PCC, BoDPA was among the cooperatives selected to be one of the beneficiaries of the PRDP, which is funded by the World Bank. The project aims to “establish a modern, climate-resilient and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.”

Under PRDP’s I-REAP component, the association was granted Php9 million worth of equipment and other related needs for the processing as well as marketing of its products.

In 2016, BoDPA was registered to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as BODACO.

According to Guillerma Abay-Abay, CBED coordinator of the PCC@USF, although BODACO was the registered name of the co-op, BoDPA still exists because it was the association recognized by the PRDP.

Based on 2017 data, the income of both BODACO and BoDPA reached Php15,646,549.17, which registered a 6.64% return on investment.

Meanwhile, to help its members, BODACO included in its program the giving of loans to members for agricultural, education and emergency purposes.

One of its members who had taken advantage of these perks was Marilou Rojo from Ubay. All that she could say was she was very thankful for being given the chance to engage in dairying.

“My family is poor and I have eight children. Thanks to the daily income I got in selling milk. I was able to support the education of my children and our life is much better now than before,” Marilou, with tears in her eyes, said.

She even proudly added that she can now realize her dream of constructing a new house. And unlike before when she could hardly support her family, she is confident that she can achieve many things as she doesn’t have to worry anymore where to get money for their needs.

On the other hand, Pastor Rogelio Damalerio, chairman of BODACO, attested that his neighbor, who owns two buffaloes, can easily pocket Php7,000 every month as an extra income from his milk sales.

“It is our vision to make Bohol the milk capital of Visayas with a daily target of 1,000 to 3,000 liters milk harvest,” Pastor Rogelio proudly said.