The Alaminos City Carabao Raisers Association (ACCRA) of San Roque, Alaminos City, Pangasinan, received 25 head of dairy carabaos under the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) program on November 27, 2024.
City Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste expressed his gratitude that their city was chosen as the recipient of the program. The mayor noted that carapreneurship, the livelihood that positively changed the lives of farmers and stakeholders, is the same livelihood that will also transform the lives of Pangasinan dairy farmers.
“May pera sa pagkakalabawan at sana itong programa ay malaki ang maitutulong sa inyo,” the mayor said.
In a video message, Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, highlighted the benefits of carabao’s milk.
“Kilala ang mataas na sustansya ng gatas ng kalabaw at natutuwa ako na ang programang ito ay nagbibigay ng mas magandang nutrisyon sa ating kabataan gayundin ang tuloy-tuloy na opportunity sa kita at sa ating mga magsasaka,” she said.
In 2023, DA-PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) received PHP10 million for the implementation of the Carabao Development Program, and Alaminos City was chosen as one of the recipients because of the successful performance of its village-based artificial insemination technicians (VBAITs) and the strong support and leadership of the local chief executive.
“We have seen a very eager VBAIT, Olivia Palazo, who was honored as Huwarang Juana for her exemplary performance on AI services during the 9th National Carabao Conference, and upon coordinating with the local chief executive of the city, we have seen his interest in supporting the program,” said Paul Andrew Texon, head of operations of DA-PCC at DMMMSU.
The City Government Unit of Alaminos committed to providing a prime lot for the processing and marketing outlet, which will be in Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan, the gateway to the hundred islands. City Veterinarian Dr. Ronald Abara has also committed to providing an additional PHP1 million budget per year to support the project.
“Ang Lucap ay ang sentro ng ating turismo. Kaya mas lalong pinapangalagaan ang hundred islands para kapag naitayo na ang ating Dairy Box, mas marami kayong benta, mas marami kayong customers,” Mayor Celeste said as he also urged the beneficiaries to take care of the project given by the national and local governments and hoped that it would prosper because its success was entirely dependent on them.
“Itong tulong na ibibigay ng lokal na pamahalaan at national government, lalo na ang DA-PCC, pangalagaan po natin at gusto naming makita ang kooperatiba na maging matagumpay,” the mayor added.
Olivia Palazo, president of the ACCRA, accepted the opportunity and encouraged her members to excel in the carabao business through the STD (sipag, tiyaga, at dedikasyon).
“Huwag nating sayangin ang oportunidad na ibinigay sa atin, ito ang magiging hanapbuhay natin na pwedeng ipasa sa ating mga anak,” Olivia said.
The construction of the Dairy Box outlet is expected to start early next year.
DA-PCC at DMMMSU provided dairy buffalo production and management training to ACCRA on October 16-18, 2024. They also conducted a farm tour in Bantog, Asingan, Pangasinan to better understand the business they will be starting.
The CBIN project was initiated and funded by Senator Villar starting in 2019 with the concept of a complete dairy enterprise value chain from production, processing, and marketing.
Among the other key officials present during the activity were Regional Coordinator of the office of Senator Cynthia Villar, Ruby Pungutan; Provincial Veterinarian of Pangasinan, Dr. Arcely Robeniol; Pangasinan’s 1st District Representative, Congressman Arthur F. Celeste; and City Vice Mayor Jan Marrionne Fontelera.
