Jun Torres

Ecija aims for dairy capital tag.

The provincial government of Nueva Ecija is embarking on a mass-based project that is aimed at making the province the country’s top producer of fresh carabao milk.

Gov. Aurelio M. Umali’s administration has already linked up with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Carabao Center in launching the project.

The project was initiated by the DTI under its One Town, One Product program in collaboration with the provincial government.

Umali said his administration will provide technical and financial support to the project in a bid to further strengthen the diary industry, which is being eyed as an alternative source of income for local farmers.

DTI regional director for Nueva Ecija Brigida T. Pili said the OTOP project was earlier launched in Talavera, Llanera and Guimba towns and Muñoz Science City.

She said the production of milk and other milk products such as pastilles de leche and mozzarella de queso has become a rich source of alternative income in these areas.

Pili added that DTI is holding on July 1st, 2008 its “2nd Gatas Festival,” in support of the OTOP program.

Highlight of the festival is the giving of due recognition to farmers cooperatives, local entrepreneurs, technical institutions and other local government units in the province, who participated in promoting the dairy industry.