Davao city: The Department of Agriculture - Davao Region (DA-11) reported Tuesday that the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved the PHP148.1 million Integrated Livestock Enterprise (ILE) proposed by the municipal government of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, in partnership with the San Isidro Magsaysay Agriculture Cooperative. The project, approved on Monday, will be implemented under the DA's Philippine Rural Development Project-Regional Project Coordination Office (PRDP-RPCO) 11.
According to Philippines News Agency, PRDP-RPCO 11 project director Macario Gonzaga stated that the facility will be the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant sterilized goat's milk processing plant in Mindanao. The initiative aims to strengthen the livestock and dairy industries by establishing a National Meat Inspection Service-compliant Double 'A' Abattoir and an FDA-ready, sterile milk processing facility. "Once operational, it will provide dairy goat raisers with a stable market for their produce while promoting food safety and product quality," Gonzaga said.
Interventions include the construction of modern abattoirs and milk-processing facilities, the procurement of specialized equipment, meat vans, delivery trucks, chilling facilities, and milk-testing equipment to ensure efficient and hygienic operations. PRDP RPCO 11 deputy project director Marie Ann Constantino emphasized that the investment reflects PRDP's commitment to building inclusive, market-driven agri-fishery enterprises. "Through the Integrated Livestock Enterprise, we are not only strengthening the livestock and dairy industries in Magsaysay but also helping build a more competitive, food-safe, and sustainable value chain that will benefit communities across Davao del Sur," she said.
The enterprise is expected to directly benefit 1,330 stakeholders, including goat raisers, swine and cattle farmers, and meat dealers, by improving access to modern processing facilities, strengthening food safety standards, and creating better market opportunities. It will also generate jobs, create additional income streams for farmers, and expand the local livestock and dairy value chains.
The RPAB comprises national agencies, including the DA, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Department of Agrarian Reform, among others.
