Planned Distribution Center for Cerdo Real Meat Products in District IV-Batangas Province, Philippines

This study aimed to determine the optimal location for BUKLOD-UNLAD Multi-purpose Cooperative (BUKLOD)’s CERDO Real Meat products distribution centers and to identify the market condition once the optimal location was identified. The said cooperative from Dagatan, a barangay of Taysan, Batangas, Philippines identified the need to create distribution center specifically in District IV of Batangas Province due to the growing demand for their real meat products in the area. Hence to address this need, a study to identify for its optimal location was requested by BUKLOD from the researchers. First, interviews with the management and members of the cooperative were done by the researchers to identify the requirements in establishing a distribution center. In the same way, consultations with the 7 municipalities of District IV were piloted to inform them accordingly about the said project. Moreover the researchers also referred to the Comprehensive Land Used Plan 2012-2022 of each municipality provided by the Provincial Planning and Development Office along with geographical maps gathered from the Provincial Engineers Office to acquire specific data on locations of the involved municipalities. Through various facility planning tools such as Factor Rating Method, Analytical Hierarchy Process and Center of Gravity, the researchers identified Rosario, Batangas as the best location for establishing the distribution center. After a market study was conducted, the researchers further proved the viability of establishing BUKLOD’s CERDO’s products’ distribution center in the area.

Keywords: planned distribution center, optimal location, facility planning, Factor Rating Method, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Center of Gravity, market study