TACLOBAN CITY – A dairy box facility is to rise in Carigara, Leyte with the groundbreaking for the construction of said project held last Wednesday (Spt.6).
The P10 million worth of project was made possible through the assistance from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Agriculture, and the office of Senator Cynthia Villar.
The facility aims to promote the daily milk production under the coconut complemented by coco-based farming system to augment farmers’ income.
It also aims to help in improving the nutrients deficiencies among children in the town of Carigara through feeding programs, provide agricultural interventions to coconut farmers through the cooperative conduit scheme.
Town Mayor Eduardo Ong Jr. said that the project will greatly benefit pastillas producers of the town.
“For the longest time, our pastillas producers are outsourcing their milk. With this project, this will help us become self-sufficient,” he said.
Carigara, located more than 50 kilometers from Tacloban City, is known for its pastillas product.
Pastillas or “pastillas de leche” of Carigara is unlike other products in the country that uses cow or goat milk.
The town’s pastillas product is made from carabao’s milk that gives its unique texture and distinct flavor.
Once finished, the facility will become a one-stop to showcase and sell products of Macapili Community MPC to support them with an opportunity to gain access for greater income.
This will be a go-to destination for travelers and tourist to buy fresh produced buffalo’s milk, pastillas and other milk-based products and other delicacies produced in Carigara town.
Also present during the groundbreaking were PCA 8 Regional Manager Joel Pilapil, and Barbara Bañez of Senator Villar’s Office.
Fifty carabaos were also distributed to ensure an enough supply of milk that is essential to delicacy makers of the town.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
