November 2, 2016
Philippines
Caritas Czech Republic in cooperation with the Czech Embassy successfully finished building a buffalo cheese production plant in Cogun village in the Philippines. The plant will increase the number of work opportunities and also ensure better living conditions for farmers from the area of Basey in the western part of Samar Island.
The presentation ceremony of the building was confered by Veronika Nožinová and Helena Kotková from Caritas Czech Republic and was attended by Jaroslav Olša Jr., Ambassador of the Czech Republic in the Philippines and Veronika Hirzel, Consultant.
„"After successfully engaging farmers in activities for the intensification of rice planting and production of banana chips, two Coguns women asked me to think of another project to help them out“ described Helena Kotková on how the idea of buffalo milk production came about.
The building with technical equipment and cooling units, where the production of flavoured milk and cheese is possible, was built thanks to the cooperation of Caritas Czech Republic and local partner Social Action Centre Calbayog. The total cost was four hundred thousand korunas, and the Czech Representative Office in the Philippines contributed an amount of two hundred thousand korunas.
“Even if buffalos are common livestock in the Philippines countryside, the processing of their milk is rare. Buffalo cheese, called Keseo in the local language Waray-Waray, is considered to be very delicious, even though it is produced only in one place on the island. The cheese is kept fresh for 14 days even without cooling“ stated Ruth Samonte, representative of the regional office of the Trade and Industry Ministry who promised to help with assurance of customers and distribution of milk products.
Caritas Czech Republic has operated in the Philippines since December 2013 when the devastating typhoon Yolanda blew over the islands. More than ten thousand people died during the disaster and a hundred thousand people were left homeless. Immediately after the disaster Caritas Czech Republic supplied humanitarian aid to 5,375 families.
In the next weeks and months after the strongest typhoon, Caritas Czech Republic led 11 development programs supporting a total of 809 farmers and their families in four Philippine provinces. Caritas Czech Republic also supplied equipment for seven Samarian schools. Thanks to partner organisations of Caritas Czech Republic and its collected funds there was more than 500 thousand Euros (nearly 14 million korunas received).
