DOT-7 backs Compostela’s queseo industry

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism in Central Visayas has supported Compostela's queseo production as a means of livelihood for farmers and its Queseo Festival as a way of promoting the town's tourism.

DOT-7 director Rowena Montecillo recently turned over an initial amount of P 425,000 to the town, through Mayor Joel Quino, in order to boost the town's tourism efforts. The agency has approved a total of P850,000 aid for the town towards this purpose.

The municipal government in turn has allocated P150,000 as counterpart share in the program.

Compostela, a prime agricultural town whose inhabitants' means of livelihood is mainly farming, was the first to receive the financial support from DOT after it complied with all the necessary requirements of the department.

Christopher Paradiang, tourism officer, said one of the by-products of the town is queseo, a derivative fresh milk produced by either a carabao or cow.

Mayor Quino said they decided to adopt queseo as Compostela's product under the One Town, One Product program of the provincial government in order to help the farmers augment their daily income through the production of native cheese.

According to the mayor, the town will provide support to the farmers engaged in queseo making, citing that it will boost farmer's income and make the municipality a prime producer of native cheese.

Using the financial assistance from the DOT, the municipal officials of Compostela are aiming to boost marketing strategies through the holding of annual Queseo Festival as an attraction during the town fiesta.

 They are also eyeing to develop tourism attractions and include queseo as a prime delicacy, to hold eco-tourism, historical and cultural tours and to conduct seminars and trainings.

Next week, Mayor Quino will lead town officials in visiting Bulacan, a known province in terms of producing queseo.  (FREEMAN)