Author: Dorie D. Bastatas

DA-PCC fulfills One DA’s reform agenda on diversification in Zambo

Posted on | by Dorie D. Bastatas

Through a joint project of DA-Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) and DA-Philippine Carabao Center called Coconut Carabao Development Project (CCDP), the One DA’s reform agenda on diversification is being implemented in select areas in Mindanao.

One of the 18 key strategies, diversification is a development approach that aims to consolidate farming systems to bring about economies of scale, thus, reducing production cost while increasing farm productivity and incomes.

This, according to the project implementers, is the very objective of the CCDP.  To carry out this purpose, capacity building and technical support services, aside from the other components—which include production, processing, and marketing—are actively carried out in the identified project sites.

Popularized as “Cara-Aralan sa Niyugan”, this component was recently fulfilled in Zamboanga Sibugay, a coverage area of DA-PCC at Mindanao Livestock Production Center, with 27 coconut farmers participating in a season-long training for dairy buffalo production.

The training, which was concluded in a graduation rites last April 30, capacitated CCDP project stakeholders from Makilas and Tomitom, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. They are members of the Small Coconut Farmer Organizations (SCFOs), which is also a component of Coconut Agro-Industrial Hub Project.

The Cara-Aralan sa Niyugan is an 11-week learning event that utilized webinar series on capability enhancement topics and aimed to capacitate farmers on dairy carabao production, processing and marketing. The participants were also given hands-on exercises while maintaining health and safety protocols.

Course topics included: (1) Kwento at Kwenta sa Kalabaw ni Juan, (2) Forage Production and Conservation, (3) Feeding of Buffalo at Different Physiological Stages, (4) Disease Prevention and Control, (5) Proper Housing for Calves and Adults, (6) Best Practices in Artificial Insemination and Breeding, (7) Artificial Insemination in Large Ruminants, (8) Calving Management, (9) Wastong Paraan ng Paggagatas at Pangangasiwa ng Aning Gatas, (10) Hygienic Milk Handling Practices, and  (11) Basic Financial Management.

Present in the graduation ceremony were Ferdinand Acaylar, PCA Regional Director; Ariel Tomong, OIC Division Chief, PCA-Ipil; Bernadette Ventura, Municipal Cooperative Officer; Masdi Hasim, Ipil Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Manager; Fe Emelda Academia, Carabao-based Enterprise Development Coordinator; and project staff.

During the program, Academia gave an overview of the project. In behalf of DA-PCC, she warmly congratulated the graduates and conveyed her praises for them for completing the training despite the restrictions brought by the pandemic.

Acalyar, on the other hand, challenged the participants, “I challenge you to finish what you have committed to start by taking diligent care of the dairy animals that were entrusted to you. Help and support the implementing agencies as well as the stakeholders so that this project will  have its envisioned impact”.

The graduation ceremony was highlighted by a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of DA-PCA, DA-PCC, and the local government units of the province of Sibugay and the municipality of Ipil.

The municipality of Ipil was selected as the pilot site because of the LGU-DA-PCC’s strong partnership in the area and its potential to prosper as a dairy hub in Zamboanga Sibugay. The CCDP is an initiative of Senator Cynthia Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform. The project aims to (1) contribute in uplifting the economic situation of coconut farmers through the establishment of carabao-based enterprises complemented by the increased coconut farm productivity, and (2) increase the local milk production in order to contribute in improving the nutrition of the community.

DA-PCC treats mom-employees to a day in the spa

Posted on | by Kimberly A. Antonio

Employees who are mothers in the DA-PCC headquarters were treated to a day in the salon as a tribute to them in celebration of Mother’s Day last May 11-13.

The DA-PCC’s Human Resource Management Section (HRMS) headed by Cecilia C. Abo organized this Mother’s Day Special to give its mom-employees a quick respite from their usual routines with a little pampering. Those who availed of the treat were offered with parlor services including hair rebonding and treatment and a choice of massage or foot care—all on the house.

The personal care treat for the mom-employees of DA-PCC was just a simple way to appreciate their hard work at home and at work. This, according to the organizers, is expected to somehow recognize the important role of mothers in modeling a nurturing environment in the workplace as a way to boost productivity.

One of the special treat recipients, Minda Diloy, who is also the Agency’s Management Systems Audit representative, said this is a very good initiative because when a company rewards its employees they are likely to be motivated to perform better. 

Feedback from the other moms concluded that this initiative was well received and more of this creative employee reward system are expected to become a mainstay in the Agency’s human resource development plan.

With 34 participants, the mom’s day treat was held at the DA-PCC national headquarters.

DA-PCC welcomes new OIC Executive Director

Posted on | by Fritz Jazer Lumawag

Dr. Ronnie Domingo, formerly the Director of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), is the newly designated Officer-in-Charge Executive Director of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center.

Dr. Domingo was formally introduced to the DA-PCC officials and employees today in a general assembly following standard safety and health protocols.

Newly designated Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Finance Dr. Caro Salces introduced the various divisions that make up the organic structure of DA-PCC and the core values that the PCCeans live by.

Former OIC Executive Director and is now the newly designated OIC-Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro Mingala gave a fond introduction of Dr. Domingo as the two have previously worked together at the DA-BAI as Director and Assistant Director, respectively.

In his message, Dr. Domingo shared some of his learnings as a public servant and having previously served in national positions.

Philosophy, competence, and character or PCC, he said, are key to leading a meaningful contribution to public service. Success, he added, should be about getting better every day.

He concluded his message to the PCCeans by saying that even when uncertainties have become the norm in government service, all things work together for the good of those who love God and abide by His purpose.

Dr. Domingo was a former professor at the Central Luzon State University and University of the Philippines at Los Baños. Outside his professional career, he is an anointed pastor and esteemed motivational speaker.

6th NCC underscores positive outlook in carapreneurship in the ‘New Normal’

Posted on | by Ma. Cecilia C. Irang

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center’s (DA-PCC) efforts and interventions to continuously perform its mandate and serve its clients amidst the global health crisis were highlighted in a virtual 6th National Carabao Conference (NCC) held last November 17.

According to Dr. Eric Palacpac, chief of DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division and overall chair for the 6th NCC, the confab consisted of three strategic sessions to echo and realize this year’s theme: “Pag-asa Karbawan: Lahat Aahon, Susulong, Aasenso”.

“What matters most now is we press forward in unity despite all the calamities and health crisis that we have been going through. Together, we rise above challenges, we move forward, and we progress especially our dedicated carapreneurs,” Dr. Palacpac said.

The first part, which was titled “Pag-asa Karbawan, May Pag-Ahon”, tackled how the DA-PCC and its clients cope with the challenges brought about by the pandemic. It featured audio-visual presentations on government-funded activities such as Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra COVID-19 (ALPAS-COVID-19) interventions and Accelerating Livelihood and Assets Buildup (ALAB) Karbawan projects (Carabao-Based Business Improvement Network and Coconut-Carabao Development Project). A closed group convergence meeting on clustering of dairy farms led by DA-PCC’s Deputy Executive Director Dr. Caro Salces was also conducted. Meanwhile, OIC-Executive Director Dr. Claro Mingala, gave updates on the carabao development program (CDP) and the agency’s initiatives and efforts to foster the carabao industry in the “New Normal”.

“This year has placed the CDP in the most challenging period thus far. The pandemic while inflicting chaos and unrivaled economic stress worldwide has brought opportunities for the program making way for innovations that in many years would be worth reckoning,” Dr. Mingala said.

He also added that the “New Normal” ushered DA-PCC’s stride against these trying times while staying true to its mandate and approaching its operations vigorously with the unwavering commitment and significant contributions of all its partners.

In the “Pag-asa Karbawan, May Pagsulong” part, it involved launching of DA-PCC knowledge portal, digitized knowledge products, and manuals for Artificial Insemination and Farmer Livestock School on Dairy Buffalo Production. It also included discussions on School-based Milk Feeding Program by Dr. Ma. Corazon Dumlao, chief health program officer of the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division-Department of Education; Loan Program for Carapreneurs by Emmaly Guinto, chief of Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s (ACPC) Communication and Public Affairs Division and Justine Cubos, ACPC’s information officer; and DA-PCC’s technology highlights by Dr. Eufrocina Atabay, Scientist I and OIC-Research and Development Division.

“Under the new normal and DA’s new thinking, there is a great challenge and opportunity for DA-PCC to pursue the new RDD paradigms and I call it research revolution. Our new mindset is ‘research translation to innovations’ for us to contribute to boosting the industry and continuously alleviating and improving the lives of our farmers and the whole Filipinos,” Dr. Atabay shared.

On the other hand, the last part, named “Pag-asa Karbawan, May Pag-Asenso”, included a series of video presentations featuring carapreneurs who rose above adversities and winners for 2019 outstanding dairy farmers, dairy buffaloes, cooperative, and region 3 technicians.

Dr. Peregrino Duran, Scientist I and Search for Outstanding Farmers, Co-op, and Dairy Buffaloes committee chair, presented the guidelines and criteria for each award.

The “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Farmer” awardees were Juanito Dumale of Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (smallhold category), Corazon Badie of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental (family module category), Bonifacio Alagar of Rosario, Batangas (semi-commercial category), Roger Mactal of Botolan, Zambales (commercial category), and Dominic Paclibar of M’lang, North Cotabato (independent category).

Meanwhile, Grace Boyles of Mabini, Bohol was awarded the “Modelong Juana sa Kalabawan” (model woman in carabao dairying) while Moises Alfonso of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija was adjudged the “Modelong Kabataan sa Kalabawan”. For the second consecutive time, the Catalanacan Multi-Purpose Cooperative was bestowed the “Best Dairy Buffalo Farmer Cooperative” title. Arnold Cunanan and Victoriano Dumale of San Jose City and Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija took home the “Gintong Kalabaw Cup” for owning the “Best Senior and Best Junior Dairy Buffalo Cows”, respectively. Moreover, a special award titled “KaTropang Vlogger” was given to Richard Reyes of Bacolor, Pampanga.

Other awards were also given to outstanding technicians and bull loan recipient in Region 3. Among those recognized were Luisito Espiritu and Eduardo Dela Cruz, Jr. of San Miguel, Bulacan as Outstanding Village-Based Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians in terms of AI services and calf drop, respectively; Lito Lopez of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija as “Outstanding Local Government Unit AI Technician”; Arturo Pascua of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija as “Outstanding Newly Trained AI Technician”; and Renato Villeza of Talavera, Nueva Ecija as “Outstanding Bull Loan Recipient”.

The annual confab, which was initiated by former DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, aims to gather participants, trustees, and all those who are benefitting from the dairy carabao-based industry. It serves as a venue for meaningful interaction among the participants and a source of significant information, ideas, and good practices for sharing and disseminating, which is expected to inspire more to participate in the CDP.

Minda Diloy, DA-PCC’s Integrated Management Representative; Dr. Danilda Duran, Scientist I, and Wilma Del Rosario, carabao-based enterprise development section head, served as moderators for the sessions.

DA-Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. William Medrano and Senate Committee Chair on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Senator Cynthia Villar also joined the event online and extended their respective messages to the DA-PCC, its clients and viewers.

More than 300 online and in-person participants locally and abroad tuned into the 6th NCC.

DA-PCC intensifies herd build up in Central Visayas

Posted on | by Leinefe L. Aton

As part of its strategy to increase local milk production, the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm (DA-PCC at USF), completed the distribution of additional 60 dairy buffaloes to Boholano recipients last August 1.

The Php3 million-worth project is under the Dairy Buffalo Dispersal Program through the cooperative conduit scheme of DA-PCC.

As stipulated in the memorandum of agreement (MOA), DA-PCC at USF will entrust dairy animals to Bohol Dairy Cooperative (BODACO) as the conduit co-op.

“Aside from BODACO, we have also partnered with our existing assisted cooperatives in Cebu such as the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC), Compostela Market Vendors Cooperative (COMAVEMCO) and the First Consolidated Cooperative along Tañon Road (FCCT) for this particular program,” Guillerma Abay-abay, Carabao-based Enterprise Development (CBED) program coordinator of DA-PCC at USF, said.

To date, the center awarded a total of 169 head of dairy buffaloes since it started in September 2019; 94 were channeled through BODACO, 43 for LMPC, 15 for COMAVEMCO and 17 for FCCT.

“This system aims to help the cooperative build up its assets initially with dairy animals as business stimuli. Upon signing of the agreement, the ownership of the buffaloes is transferred by the PCC to the co-op,” Abay-abay said.

“Si co-op magbayad ni PCC og usa ka baye nga nati, while the farmer magbayad sa coop og duha ka nati. (The co-op will pay one female calf to PCC, while the farmer will pay two calves to the conduit cooperative),” Abay-abay explained.

To sustain the implementation of the program in the community, the co-op has to ensure compliance to the agreed repayment for each dispersed female buffalo. The age of the replacement animal should be 18 months old and shall be reloaned by the cooperative to another qualified farmer-trustee who is an active member of the co-op with good standing.

The succeeding calves of the entrusted buffalo, whether male or female, shall be shared between the cooperative and the farmer-trustee on their agreed scheme.

In one of the meetings, Dr. Gundolino P. Bajenting, officer-in-charge of DA-PCC at USF mentioned that herd build up is one of the strategies to produce more milk in response to the national tall order to increase production from one to 10 percent.

Abay-abay additionally said the  increase in the number of dairy buffaloes per household conversely provides a more satisfying income for a typical family.

To date, the center recorded a total of 3,928.85 li of milk produced out of the animals dispersed since last year under the conduit scheme. This volume comprises 5.33% of the total milk production by the center for the year. This translates to an additional income of Php192,442.50 at Php50.00 per liter of milk.

Dr. Bajenting said 40 head of dairy buffaloes are due for dispersal to farmers once the necessary government procurement documents are completed.

Bohol’s dairy stakeholders strengthen collab for ART-ICDP

Posted on | by Leinefe L. Aton

“The nutrition of a child in the first 1,000 days is very critical to mental development,” Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap said in his first meeting with dairy stakeholders providing direction to the dairy industry of the province.

This signals the conception of a comprehensive, multi-agency, and multi-sectoral dairy development project in Bohol called Agricultural Rural Transformation through Integrated Community Development Project (ART-ICDP).

This comprehensive proposal, formulated by the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center  at Ubay Stock Farm (DA-PCC at USF) and DA-National Dairy Authority, and the Bohol Dairy Cooperative (BODACO), mainstreams dairy farming as a major source of income in Bohol.

Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Bohol provincial veterinarian, said the PLGU had already allocated funding for this undertaking.

 

“Nakita man jud ang dakong potential sa dairy dinhi sa province maong ato gyud gipanghingusgan nga ma implement gud ni siya pinaagi sa atong pagtinabangay (We have seen the great potential of dairying here in our province, that’s why we will strengthen its implementation thru strong collaboration with each other),” Lapiz said.

 

In the project proposal, ART-ICDP aims to achieve three major objectives: increase the income of the participating farm families by at least Php30,000.00 annually, enroll at least 1,000 dairy animals yearly, and provide 100% of the milk supply required for the National Feeding Program (RA 11037) in the province of Bohol.

 

To fulfill these, the province needs to produce at least 1,250 li of raw milk a day or 150,000 li in 120 days to meet the requirement of 25,000 children-recipients of the feeding program. Ready-to-drink (RTD) milk in packs of 200 ml 25% toned milk will be distributed to the children for this purpose.

 

With a 21-liter per capita milk requirement, Bohol needs at least 7,583 milking animals producing 3 li a day to meet the demand for RTD alone. Currently, its raw milk supply is produced from the existing 1,726 dairy carabao herd and 233 dairy cattle herd.

 

 

The implementation

 

“This project was launched last December 2019 during the celebration of the 5th Bohol Dairy Festival. Implementation, however, was only started this year and will end by 2022,” Lapiz said.

 

With series of consultations, this will be carried out in three phases. Phase 1 covers social mobilization—DA-PCC at USF, OPV, and NDA will identify and select project areas; conduct project advocacy, marketing and orientation; and form dairy clusters. Phase 2 will be about trainings, organizational development and stakeholders’ capacitation; expansion of dairy herd; and establishment of communal facilities. Lastly, Phase 3 deals with scaling-up of raw milk production and dairy product development to include establishment of related enterprises on silage production, feedmill, vermicomposting, and processing and marketing; and enhancement of private partnership and product development.

 

“We are eyeing 18 municipalities in this project. They are selected because of the presence of potential dairy animals, both carabao and cattle, in their town and some of these are within the existing dairy zones,” Lapiz explained.

 

“Another consideration in the selection of project areas is their proximity to a processing plant,” she added.

 

According to Lapiz, the process flow basically starts in marketing the project to the municipal mayors of the identified project areas. Then, veterinary clinic and estrus synchronization (ES) and artificial insemination (AI) will be conducted onsite by OPV, DA-PCC at USF and NDA wherein pre-enrolment and selection of animals will be conducted.

 

Once the animals get pregnant, the team will schedule dairy enterprise orientation seminars and trainings for the owners or caretakers. From here onward, the standard groundworks for dairy enterprise development will ensue.

 

The updates

 

 

Early this year, the team had already conducted activities under Phase 1. As of date, 1,014 animals were pre-enrolled (628 Carabao and 386 Cattle) in the program from the initial three municipalities. Meanwhile, 50 animals are expected to queue in the milking line in San Miguel, 161 in Mabini, and 39 in Talibon.

 

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Government of Bohol launched its ‘’WE SURVIVE BOHOL AS ONE’’ program. One of its sub-projects is a community milk-feeding program in 17 municipalities with the highest number of malnourished children. The PLGU allocated Php10 million for this purpose.

 

To date, around Php6.1 million was utilized for the 60-day milk feeding program benefitting 5,130 children. The objective of this project is to boost the immunity of members of the vulnerable sectors and at the same time help the dairy farmer market their produce even in the face of crisis.

 

The implementation of this project was facilitated by the Provincial Nutrition Council, Education Center, OPV and DA-PCC at USF in collaboration with the Municipal Nutrition Council in the targeted municipalities. Milk is supplied by the BODACO.

 

“BODACO, which consolidates the milk produced by the farmers and leads the establishment of the dairy enterprise, is also essential in the implementation of the ART-ICDF project because they (the farmers) are the main reason why these efforts are made,” according to Dr. Gundolino P. Bajenting, OIC-Center Director of DA-PCC at USF.

 

Meanwhile, the PLGU awarded one  tractor to BODACO in June 2020 to facilitate the forage production of farmers. The DA-PCC at USF also gave an initial two sets of water system paraphernalia to two dairy farmer clusters in Mabini, 10 sacks of dairy concentrates and one 20-kg mineral blocks as part of its refocused activities to mitigate the effect of the pandemic.

SMF donates bags of flour to CAMPC for MilkyBun prod’n

Posted on | by Dizschel Ann C. Salvador
The Catalanacan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAMPC), one of the assisted dairy cooperatives of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), received 72 bags (25 kg each) of free flour from the San Miguel Foundation (SMF) for the production of MilkyBun. 

 

The free bags of flour donated by SMF, through its Program Assistant Clara Cabrera, is in response to DA-PCC’s initiative of collaborating with the private sectors to make food available and affordable while ensuring continuous livelihood opportunities for carapreneurs in communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Said initiative will ensure reduced cost for the MilkyBun production, which will lead to higher income for dairy farmers. 

 

This is not the first collaboration of DA-PCC with SMF. Last May, the latter bought fresh carabao’s milk from farmer-cooperatives struggling to cope with the pandemic, which was then donated to poor communities and food banks in and around Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. 

 

“This turnover ceremony is just the tip of the iceberg,” said DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Arnel Del Barrio as DA-PCC is set to formally launch the MilkyBun Production Center by September. 

 

Said project is in line with the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” (RA 11469) and the DA’s “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra sa COVID-19”.

 

 

The DA-PCC through its Research and Development Division (RDD) developed the MilkyBun, a nutrient-rich bread made with fresh carabao’s milk, to help boost the immune system of the vulnerable sector especially children because the amount of protein and carbohydrates in one glass of milk is equivalent to one MilkyBun. 

 

Meanwhile, 72 bags of flour were also given to Bohol Dairy Cooperative for the same purpose. 

 

Also present during the ceremony were Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Joyce Ramones, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Borromeo Pascual, DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Caro Salces, RDD Officer-in-Charge Dr. Eufrocina Atabay, Project Evaluation Officer Dr. Ericson dela Cruz, and RDD-CEDS Head Mina Abella, CAMPC Chairman Ferdinand Cueva and General Manager Leoncio Callo. Select staff members of DA-PCC, Department of Agrarian Reform, and CAMPC also graced the program.

Billionaire co-op in Mindanao inks partnership with DA-PCC for ALAB Karbawan project

Posted on | by Jeson C. Candole

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at Central Mindanao University (DA-PCC at CMU) formally signs agreement with Oro Integrated Cooperative (OIC) in Cagayan de Oro City as the agency’s conduit cooperative for the ALAB Karbawan Project.

DA-PCC at CMU Center Director Dr. Lowell Paraguas, Chairperson of the OIC Board of Directors (BOD) Doris Calapiz and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OIC Floriano Hilot signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 31, 2020.

ALAB Karbawan stands for Accelerating Livelihood and Assets Buildup while “Karbawan” is a Visayas and Mindanao term meaning buffalo production and management.

The project aims to establish a robust Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) in 16 provinces for 2019 and 11 for 2020 in the Philippines through the sponsorship of Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar. A budget of Php10 million is allocated for each of the provinces.

Under the DA-PCC at CMU’s ALAB Karbawan, one project site was identified in Misamis Oriental for 2019 with Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano as the focal person and two in Bukidnon for 2020 with 1st District Representative Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba and 4th District Representative Rogelio Neil Roque as the focal persons.

According to Dr. Paraguas, the DA-PCC at CMU will lead the conduct of learning events for farmers and carapreneurs that are set to make them more competitive in dairying and thus will generally improve the state of the local dairy industry in the region.

“Hopefully, through meaningful collaborations and strong partnerships, this project will pan out,” Dr. Paraguas said.

Dr. Paraguas emphasized the agency and co-op will closely cooperate with local government units and other partners to ensure that the assets will be used to improve the livelihood of value chain players through herd build up, milk collection, processing and marketing of locally-produced milk products.

“It’s a blessing for us to engage in this project with the DA-PCC. We are looking forward to opportunities that will benefit our farmers such as this project, which is very much aligned with the mission of changing the lives of our members and communities,” Hilot said.

Meanwhile, Calapiz anticipates a significant increase in the income of their members and that soon nutritious, fresh and affordable carabao-based dairy products will be available to more consumers.

Also present during the signing were the OIC’s branch managers and key staff of DA-PCC at CMU.

DA-PCC, DepEd prep for tie-up program on school-based milk feeding

Posted on | by Ma. Cecilia C. Irang
A total of 394,433 undernourished children are expected to benefit from the implementation of a nationwide School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 11037 also known as the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act”. 

Said undertaking is a joint effort of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) in line with the law institutionalizing a national feeding program for undernourished children in public schools. 

In June 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA No. 11037 to address the problem of undernutrition among Filipino children through a National Feeding Program of which one of the components is the Milk Feeding Program with fresh milk or fresh milk-based product as additional component to cycle-menu hot meals in the SBFP. 

“This program is not only beneficial to undernourished children but also to dairy value chain players as it has created a higher demand for locally produced milk, thus, providing them sustainable livelihood and boosting the local dairy industry,” DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Arnel Del Barrio said. 

The DepEd and DA-PCC signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to embark on and implement a Milk Feeding Program in accordance with the mandates and objectives of RA No. 11037. 

Several operating MOAs (OMOA) between the DA-PCC and Schools Division Offices (SDO) of DepEd were initially signed to launch the program. These include DA-PCC’s OMOAs with the SDOs of Puerto Princesa City, General Trias City, Oriental Mindoro, Cavite, Quezon Province, Laguna Province, Batangas Province, Legazpi City, Antipolo City, and Nueva Ecija, respectively. 

In addition, a total of nine DA-PCC regional centers had inked OMOAs with SDOs in their respective areas. 

The DepEd through its Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD) will lead the implementation of the SBFP-Milk Feeding Program component in coordination with DA-PCC as supplier of carabao’s milk. It allocated a total budget of Php7,099,794 for the purchase of carabao’s milk to be used in feeding programs. 

Meanwhile, DA-PCC identified and tapped its assisted dairy farmer-cooperatives with valid licenses to operate from Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) as suppliers of milk in the feeding program. 

“The DA-PCC, DepEd, and FDA-registered cooperatives had a consultation meeting to determine the volume of carabao’s milk that the co-ops can provide for the program. The total volume that was committed can supply more than 390,000 beneficiaries nationwide,” Ma. Theresa Sawit, PCC’s senior science research specialist and one of the focal persons for the project, said. 

Under the program, all undernourished Kindergarten to Grade 6 pupils, who are also SBFP beneficiaries for hot meals, will receive 200 ml toned carabao’s milk daily for at least 20 feeding days. 

“This program is very timely to help boost their immune system against COVID-19 and improve their milk drinking habit as they grow up,” Sawit said. 

Due to the global health crisis, each municipality will have its designated drop-off points for the delivery, inspection, and acceptance of the milk products. From the drop-off points, DepEd will conduct a house-to-house distribution of carabao’s milk to the beneficiaries. 

The milk feeding program, which supposedly started in March but was delayed due to the pandemic, is expected to commence in August in time for the proposed opening of classes. 

Apart from DA-PCC, DepEd also collaborates with the National Dairy Authority in the implementation of the Milk Feeding Program.