BONGABON, Nueva Ecija -- Farmer-members of Bongabon Dairy Cooperative expressed their gratitude to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as the agency turned over a dairy milk processing facility worth P300,000.00 which would benefit a total of 39 members, consisting of 37 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

DAR Secretary Bernie F. Cruz said various government agencies have been instrumental in helping the farmers in the area.

“The cooperation of government agencies, the dreams of the farmers, and the willingness of the local government unit to help the farmers inspired me,” he said.

DAR Central Luzon  Regional Director James Arsenio Ponce said the enhancement of the 62.5 square meter dairy milk processing facility within the 144 square meter lot of the Bongabon Dairy Cooperative was made possible through the joint efforts of several government agencies.

Ponce said the Bongabon Dairy Cooperative is among the DAR-assisted agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) which availed the business development service with support facility under the Village Level Farm Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) of the DAR.

He said the total VLFED project cost amounts to Php 300,000.00, with the Bongabon local government unit (LGU) providing their counterpart amounting to Php500,000.00. The Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Carabao Center, and the Department of Science and Technology-Region III provided technical assistance support and extension services to the cooperative.

 “The VLFED project aims to enhance the products of farmers through the provision of appropriate facilities and equipment,” Ponce said.

He said the VLFED project aims to establish a sustainable Income-Generating Project (IGP) in the area and provide additional income to the ARBs, develop rural-based entrepreneurs, upgrade the production, processing, packaging, distribution, and marketing of products, at the same time augment the ARBO’s income.

Mario B. dela Cruz, Chairperson of the Bongabon Dairy Cooperative said that with the completion of the construction of the processing center, the cooperative members can now work together in their milk trading and milk processing with a common goal of helping and making their endeavor beneficial not only to the officers and members of the cooperative but also to the whole community of Bongabon.

“The facility is expected to boost the income of the cooperative since this will become as an additional livelihood for our members, as we simultaneously engage in other farming activities such planting of palay, onion, tomatoes, and pakbet vegetables,” Cruz said.

He recognized the initiative of the department in looking after the ARBO’s welfare saying: “What we are today, we owe everything to the DAR and other partner agencies.”

Together with the  DAR Secretary during the turnover ceremony were Bongabon Local Chief Executive Allan Xystus A. Gamilla, Philippine Carabao Center Executive Director Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo, DAR Assistant Secretary Atty. Maria Celestina M. Tam, Undersecretary for Finance, Management and Administration Office Atty. Lucius Jun-jun G. Malsi, Central Luzon Regional Director James Arsenio O. Ponce, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer  II (PARPO) Eden B. Ponio, PARPO Josephine K. Aguinaldo, and other coop officials and members. (DAR)