More and more opportunities are lined up for communities in Central Visayas after the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved three enterprise subprojects.

The RPAB has approved the proposals for the Beef Cattle Fattening & Marketing Enterprise and Beef Choice Cuts Marketing Enterprise, both in Siquijor; and the Bantayan Island Seaweeds Production & Marketing Enterprise in Cebu. The two proposals from Siquijor are a bold move to market the province’s processed native cattle. The proponents are currently supplying live cattle to their market.

SIQUIJOR CATTLE

Data from the Value Chain Analysis showed that there is a potential for market competitiveness for cattle raising and high-cattle density sufficiency. Hence, the commodity’s inclusion in the province’s investment plan.

Through the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), the Catulayan Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCMPC) will receive P5.02 million support that will warrant the adaption of an enhanced technology enterprise that complies with product standard quality and provision of appropriate facilities for proper beef handling and storage.

“Fraudulent practices like mata-mata system or practiced by the middlemen and traders will be reduced. Both the cooperative and cattle raisers will be able to exercise fair trade and gain what is really due,” said CCMPC manager Alexander Lagrimas.

Lagrimas also highlighted their market strategies to promote and ensure top-quality meat. The members will also undergo trainings on conducting meat fabrication.

Meanwhile, the P5.06 million support for the Alang sa Tanang Multipurpose Cooperative (ALTAMCO), which will complement CCMPC, will provide quality fattened and conditioned cattle to be processed.

According to the latest cattle inventory conducted in July 2017, Provincial Veterinarian Bernardita Tabada said the province has a 19,000-head inventory.

“As a supplier of live cattle, we really hope that with the [sub]project, we will be able to supply our processed local meat instead of the live cattle,” said Tabada.

BANTAYAN SEAWEED

On the other hand, the Lipayran Fishermen Association (LFA) will receive P17.9 million for the Bantayan Island Seaweeds Production and Marketing Enterprise as it pushes for a more sustainable seaweed industry.

Hanging is one method of drying seaweeds in Bantayan Island.

Through the assistance from the DA-PRDP, cooperative targets to increase its seaweed production from 84 metric tons to 2,160 metric tons.

The plan to increase production is in line with their goal of producing premium quality dried seaweed that passed quality control. The proposal also includes the product’s packaging. (Bexmae Jumao-as, Writer, RPCO 7)