Referred to by historians as “a little piece of paradise”, Jalajala, Rizal is soon to boast yet another attraction aside from its scenic landscape formations.
Soon to rise in the town is the first-ever Dairy Box in CALABARZON.
The chosen site is close to Laguna de Bay, the country’s largest lake, making it the backdrop for the soon-to-rise carabao-based products outlet. For tourists who love to experience the calming waves of the lakeshore, including recreational activities during weekends, the Dairy Box is a good stop over for that fresh and natural dairy delicatessen.
The Llano Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LFMPC), which started dairy processing in 2006, will oversee its operation. Through the DA-Philippine Carabao Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baňos (DA-PCC at UPLB), 45 members of the LFMPC were entrusted with crossbred carabaos, of which 19 are already pregnant.
LFMPC, with over 200 members to date, has been serving as a channel of blessing to the locals whose main source of income is agriculture. They buy fresh milk from dairy farmers at PHP70 per liter.
“Lubos ang pasasalamat namin kasi naging kaagapay kami ng aming mga kababayan sa paglutas ng problema ng unemployment. Hindi po namin ‘yon magagawa kundi rin sa tulong ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno na laging nakasuporta sa amin,” shared Tagumpay Panguito, manager of LFMPC.
They are also an active partner of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the implementation of the national milk feeding program.
A groundbreaking and ceremonial entrustment of dairy carabaos was done in Bayugo, Jalajala, Rizal last August 15.
The father of the town, Mayor Elmer Pillas expressed his support for the project. Saying that this will not only create livelihood for the locals but also help boost tourism and promote local products.
Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares, former Executive Director of DA-PCC Dr. Arnel del Barrio, DA-PCC’s Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Finance Dr. Caro Salces, and a representative from the Office of Sen. Cynthia Villar Engr. Renz Aquino graced the event.
Various national agencies and local government units such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) IV-A, Department of Agriculture (DA) IV-A, Department of Trade and Industry IV-A, Department of Agrarian Reform-Rizal IV-A, Office of the Municipal Mayor, and Office of the Provincial Governor also attended the occasion each with their own pledge of support to the project.
The construction of the Dairy Box is a component of the project Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) or popularized as Accelerating Livelihood Assets Buildup (ALAB) Karbawan of the DA-PCC. It was funded by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform through its chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar and is geared towards providing income opportunities to farmers and progressing the carabao dairy industry.
