BAGUIO CITY – To gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the facility, Baguio City Lone District Representative Mark Go visited the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center (BABRC) on May 10, 2024 in Dontogan, Baguio City.
Better known by its other name Baguio Dairy Farm, the center houses 106 heads of cows, where 27 heads are being milked. The milk is processed into several dairy products such as pasteurized milk, yogurt, cheese, and condensed milk, among others. The dairy products are being processed and marketed by the Mountain High Dairy Cooperative which also operates the Dairy Processing Plant located in the facility.
As the products are being purchased by both locals and tourists, Rep. Go views this as an opportunity to further develop the Center into a major dairy hub for Baguio, which will also bolster the city’s economy. Consequently, Go plans to propose an increased budget for DA, specifically targeting the region. This additional funding will support the BABRC in producing more high-quality dairy products, thereby increasing the facility’s and the cooperative’s income, ultimately benefiting the city’s economy.
During his visit, he inspected the livestock area and the dairy processing center. Additionally, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan briefed Go about the facility, which plays a crucial role in conducting technology demonstrations and extensive research on crops and livestock. She also informed Go about the ongoing legal dispute of DA-CAR against claimants of the lands where the BABRC stands.
Based on Presidential Proclamation No. 603, series of 1940 signed by the late former President Manuel L. Quezon, the BABRC is reserved for animal breeding station purposes. Further, late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. also issued a Memorandum to the Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in 1980 to protect and reserve all the lands proclaimed for stock farm purposes against all forms of squatting and any speculation of whatever nature.
Aside from the dairy cows, the facility also houses an apiary, other livestock, and poultry. Coffee and citrus are also being produced in the center.
The BABRC is being jointly operated by DA-CAR, BAI, and National Dairy Authority under a Memorandum of Agreement. By Cy-j E. Waytan
