Tuguegarao City – Considering the essential role a well written business plan plays in the approval of any subproject under the PRDP I-REAP Component, a scrupulous review was conducted last June 02-05, 2015 for the Isabela Dairy Enterprise to enhance its business plan in order to comply with the specific guidelines set by the World Bank (WB).

The rigorous review focused on the viability of the cow-based dairy enterprise based in Mallig, Isabela where specific revisions were made on the details and analysis of data pertaining to the various business and economic activities of the whole enterprise spearheaded by Malaya Development Cooperative (MDC) and supported by affiliates based in Cabagan, San Manuel, Roxas and Quezon.

Being the lead proponent group, MDC consented to the constructive comments of experts during the said review. “The enhancement of the business plan is a critical step along the stringent process of project approval and funding”, said Ms. Vivien delos Santos, I-REAP Component Head.

Speaking through an interview, Ms. delos Santos added that it is necessary for the I-REAP group to conduct the review workshop since Region 02 emerged as the most viable region from the Luzon-A Cluster to obtain the No Objection Letter 1 (NOL 1) from the World Bank. The Isabela Dairy Enterprise was recently elevated as the pilot enterprise for the whole Luzon A Cluster.

Once the business plan for Isabela Dairy Enterprise is approved and given the NOL 1 by the World Bank, the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) will subsequently be clothed with authority to process and issue NOL 1 for the rest of the 2014 I-REAP subprojects from Luzon-A Cluster.

The Isabela Dairy Business Enterprise requires a total investment capital of more than P33 million comprising of processing support facilities, infrastructure, production and marketing supports. Of the total amount, the civil works whose funds will be sourced from the I-BUILD Component shall cover the construction of the processing plant amounting to P5.12 million.

This initial enterprise for the Northern and Western Isabela Dairy Zones of Isabela is expected to boost the cattle-based dairy industry not only in the province but also for the whole Cagayan Valley Region. (Jaycee Capalungan, InfoACE RPCO2)