THE FARMER IS NOW A LEADER
Written by : Aljun Ryan D. Oplado
Photos by : Jesriel Golisao

He was once a lowly farmer in Garing, Consolacion whose life spun around his wife and six children.

But a twist of fate changed it all when in 1990’s, the National Dairy Authority (NDA), a semi- government agency, presented a livelihood program to the families of Garing to raise Holstein milking cows imported from New Zealand. Life was never the same again for Julito Yongco, 52 years old, and father to Electromechanics Technology student Jennifer.

After being trained to raise cattle, Mr. Yongco and other residents of Garing formed the Garing Dairy Multi-purpose Cooperative where he was appointed as chairman. The members raised the lactating cows and sold their milk in retail to prospect buyers to earn money.

Surprisingly, some consumers rejected the dairy product due to its odor. This disheartened some Coop members but not Mr. Yongco and few who persisted until through NDA’s help, the small cooperative put up the Cebu Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (CEFEDCO) in Pitogo, Consolacion-a milk product distributor here in Cebu under the label name Cebu Dairy Fresh. CEFEDCO now processes the milk into milkbars and pastillas and bottles fresh and flavored milk for commercial purposes.

Mr. Yongco has become the chairperson of CEFEDCO for eight years and a board member of NDA. Presently, he is the current director of the Cooperative on water system in Garing. A down-to-earth, doting, and hardworking father, Mr. Yongco deserves what he is right now. He also grabs every opportunity that comes along his way like raising hogs and fighting cocks.

With such attitude, no wonder that he was able to send four of his sons and daughters to college almost without a hitch. According to him, “I want them to go to school because that’s the only thing we can give to them, thus they must focus on their studies. Going to school is the most important of all!” he added, “We’ve done our part of being their parents. It’s their time to do (their part) as students!”

Take it from the leader!