BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government has distributed PHP8.25 million worth of breeder animals and equipment support to 85 institutional and individual recipients to boost local animal production and provide more livelihood opportunities.
A total of 39 associations, two farm schools, one local government unit, and 46 individuals received various animal commodities during the ceremonial turnover led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol grounds here on Wednesday.
“This is a continuing program. These recipients were properly chosen because it is very important that the program will become successful. We want this to be an additional livelihood for our farmers,” Lacson said.
The dispersed animals were produced at the two provincial government-owned farms, including the Negros First Ranch and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm, and were also funded under province’s 20 percent 2026 Development Fund.
These include 20 ready-to-breed carabaos worth PHP2 million; 1,950 heads of duck and free range chicken, PHP884,000; and 60 heads of swine, PHP300,000.
Also distributed were a dump truck for hauling operations amounting to PHP2.695 million; duck egg incubators, PHP1.713 million; cattle frozen semen, PHP587,366; and duck feeds, PHP80,000.
Based on the project brief, the distribution of breeder weanlings forms part of the province’s efforts to revitalize and repopulate the swine industry. Meanwhile, free-range chickens, Muscovy ducks, and Itik-Pinas native layer ducks are distributed to beneficiaries for breeding and propagation, with the aim of increasing local stocks and providing sustainable sources of food and livelihood.
The ready-to-breed carabaos were distributed province-wide under the carabao herd build-up for livelihood.
Incubators will be used for the mass production of Itik-Pinas for breeder stock purposes, balut (fertilized duck egg) and other duck egg products to meet the local demand.
The cattle will be utilized for infusion of new breeder lines to produce genetically upgraded offspring, creating a pool of hybrids for future dispersal and livelihood programs. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
