Ilocos norte: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has extended PHP2 million worth of assistance to the Ilocos Region’s dairy industry through its shared service facility (SSF) program.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative is part of a collaborative effort between the DTI and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), aimed at providing post-harvest interventions. These include the provision of machinery for milk processing, packaging, and storage to help support local farmers. PCC Director Joel Cabading stated that the partnership is focused on offering technical support services, which encompass free breeding services, veterinary services, milk collection, and connections to institutional markets.
The SSF program is a strategic DTI initiative designed to boost the productivity and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. On October 9, the DTI handed over equipment valued at PHP500,000 to the PCC in Barangay Tabug, Batac City, Ilocos Norte. This equipment aims to enhance the center’s capacity to produce, process, and market quality buffalo milk and other carabao-based products sourced from small-scale dairy producers.
The newly provided facilities include milking machines for hygienic milking and mechanization, freezers for milk consolidation and storage, a pur©e machine for preserving indigenous fruits, milk processing utensils for product development, display chillers for dairy drinks, and an ice gelato cream chiller to offer a variety of fruit flavors.
PCC Director Cabading expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much to the DTI for the steadfast collaboration to develop the dairy industry.” DTI provincial director Amelia Galvez also emphasized the commitment to further improving the agricultural sector through collaborative projects with other partner agencies. She noted that the shared service facilities are expected to enhance dairy production, processing, and marketing of carabao milk-based products, ultimately benefiting local dairy farmers and cooperatives.