by Ram Bill G. Bautista, RPCO3 InfoACE

A step closer to the upgrading of their carabao dairy processing facility, the Eastern Primary Muti-purpose Cooperative (PMPC) from San Jose City, Nueva Ecija has secured the approval of an Php89-million processing facility from the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Central Luzon Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB).

The project’s regional approving body convened to deliberate and approved the proposed subproject on May 6, 2025 in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, where Eastern PMPC officers presented their comprehensive business plan for their proposed enterprise. The 500-square-meter facility is designed to significantly enhance the cooperative’s dairy processing capabilities and market reach.

This investment will be funded under a 60-20-20 cost-sharing scheme from the World Bank loan proceeds through the PRDP Scale-Up, national government through the DA, and equity from the proponent group in both cash and in-kind contributions.

To meet the raw milk supply demand of the new facility, Eastern PMPC has partnered with another local farmer group, the Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Multi-purpose Cooperative (SIPBU MPC), also from San Jose City. This partnership will consolidate approximately 3,500 liters of raw carabao milk weekly, ensuring a steady supply for production.

The enterprise will supply raw, pasteurized, and sterilized carabao milk to various target markets, including other dairy cooperatives and key government agencies engaged in milk-feeding programs such as the Department of Social Welfare Development and Department of Education. In addition to dairy production, the proponent group will also be offering vehicle rental services to generate additional income and maximize asset utilization.

With the expansion of their enterprise, the cooperative expects a significant increase in income and to generate more employment for its members and the community. Furthermore, the subproject would increase farmers’ income by raising the buying price of raw milk, expanding market opportunities, and provide logistical support for milk collection and distribution.

The Eastern PMPC and the SIPBU MPC are both registered with the Cooperative Development Authority with 71 and 58 members respectively. The Philippine Carabao Center and the Nueva Ecija local government also provided technical and planning support for the subproject development and approval.