THE local government unit of Mati City received a total of P855,000 in financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) intended for the carabao milk industry in the city.
The beneficiaries were the Carbena Cluster-1 SLP Association with 28 members which received P420,000 while the Carbena Cluster-2 SLP Association with 29 members received P435,000 assistance.
Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat, along with the beneficiaries, received livelihood assistance on Wednesday, January 25.
City information officer Ben Tesiorna told SunStar Davao that the livelihood assistance aims to help expand the production and operation of the carabao milk producers.
“They supply raw materials for our dairy hub operation. So with financial assistance, they can expand. Maybe buy more carabao. Depende sa kanila kung saan nila gagamitin (It is up to the beneficiaries how they will use it),” Tesiorna said in an interview.
The Department of Agriculture - Philippine Carabao Center determined the chosen beneficiaries to receive the financial assistance, which is under the Zero Hunger Program of the national government’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Tesiorna said other agricultural industries in Mati City also received livelihood assistance but the Carbena carabao milk producers were chosen for this particular program.
They are also the first set of beneficiaries to receive the Sustainable Livelihood Program from DSWD for the year 2023. ICM