The Local Government of San Agustin, Isabela, and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at CSU formally accepted the Dairy Microbiological Facility, a subproject under the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA PRDP), on September 28, 2022, at Masaya Centro, San Agustin, Isabela. 

This is in support of the Dairy Industry by protecting consumers from unsafe and contaminated locally-produced milk; enhancing industry and consumer confidence in the dairy regulatory system; achieving economic growth and development by promoting fair trade practices and a sound regulatory foundation for domestic contribution; and upgrade the capability of local farmers, consumers, and dairy personnel in ensuring dairy safety. 

Also, the 13 dairy cooperatives in San Agustin will benefit from the facility, which costs some P13, 514, 762.4 and can be used as the technical capacity for milk producers, consolidators, and processors through laboratory testing, practical learning, and development activities that would improve their technical knowledge, skills, and capability resulting in better productivity, income, and production of good quality products.

Dr. Roberto C. Busania, Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extensions, challenged the project beneficiaries to increase production volume and utilize the facility’s full potential. 

Busania, also the procurement unit head of the DA PRDP, represented Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo, said that counterparts advance the foothold as far as enterprises and cooperatives are concerned. 

“The PRDP enterprises are formed and are aimed at increasing rural incomes and enhancing farm and fishery productivity in targeted areas. The Project promotes more inclusive rural development by supporting smallholders and fisherfolk to increase their marketable surpluses, and by improving access to markets. With the industry well coming around, the micro lab will be of great help to dairy farmers and the dairy enterprise here,” he added. 

Dr. Franklin T. Rellin, retired PCC at CSU center director, personally attended the turnover ceremony and held a briefing on Operations and Management. “I wanted to witness this endeavour as we at PCC is happy to have left a legacy for our dairy farmers here.”

San Agustin Mayor Cesar A. Mondala thanked the lead of this project and vowed that they would work together to ensure that this facility would benefit the people of San Agustin.