The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), through OIC-Executive Director Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo, participated in the virtual ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Pilot Gatasang Kalabaw Convergence Project facilitated and hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Sustainable Livelihood Program-National Program Management Office (DSWD SLP-NPMO on September 28.
The EPAHP Pilot Gatasang Kalabaw Convergence Project is under the Zero Hunger Program headed by IATF-Zero Hunger Program Chair and Cabinet Secretary Hon. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) thru Sec. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), thru Sec. Ramon M. Lopez; and Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), thru Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III also signed the MOA as project partners.
The project aims to establish viable enterprises along the buffalo value chain as source of additional income for farmers and members of community-based organizations. It also aims to increase the volume of locally produced milk that can be supplied to the National Feeding Program in proposed pilot areas in Regions I, VI, and IX. Ultimately, the project is seen to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Zero Hunger Program and EPAHP Program through the convergence of government services in partnership with private sector partners and provision of immediate social preparation and intervention.
DA-PCC, through this project, is expected to: (1) identify priority areas and participants for cooperation along the value chain for carabao and Carabao-Based Enterprises (CBEs) in coordination with partners; (2) facilitate the acquisition of quality dairy buffalos for the project as counterpart support to the DSWD’s SLP; and (3) offer appropriate technical and support services such as, but not limited to production support services, market development services, and extension support and training services.
Also part of the virtual MOA signing were DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Atty. Aimee S. Torrefranca-Neri and DSWD Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs Asec. Rhea B. Peñaflor.
Messages of support from Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Department of Agriculture Secretary Dr. William D. Dar were also warmly received by the participating agencies during the ceremonies.
