BALUNGAO — Twelve associations in Balungao, Pangasinan, composed of 300 families, have received PHP4.6 million in seed capital from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to support their participation in a sustainable livelihood program aimed at combating poverty and hunger through carabao breeding and milk production.
According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke at a press conference on Monday, the funding is allocated for the Gatasang Kalabaw Kontra Kagutoman at Kahirapan (GK3K) program. This initiative focuses on carabao-breeding and milk production during its first year and will expand to include processing of carabao milk, hide, and meat in the second year.
The local government of Balungao has backed the project by providing 10 hectares of land for carabao housing, forage, and vegetable production. It has also contributed logistics and essential materials worth PHP4 million. Additionally, the Philippine Carabao Center at Don Mariano Marcos State University has offered specialized training to the beneficiaries and supplied additional carabaos and artificial insemination services.
Further support comes from the Department of Trade and Industry, which has committed to providing equipment for milk production under its Shared Service Facility program.