LANAO DEL NORTE, May 7 – 8, 2020 –  The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 10 delivered 74 upgraded cattle to the local government unit (LGU) of Linamon to benefit 74 farmers.

The animals provided are under the Livestock Production Project of the SAAD Program in Lanao del Norte for FY 2019 amounting to Php 3,031,600.

Aside from cattle, farm gloves, budding knives, light hoes, pruning spears, shovels, sprinklers, plastic drums, weeding bolos, plastic seedling trays, and 5-in-1 pinakbet seeds worth Php 757,158 were also distributed under the DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program. This project aims to give farmers additional sources of income while securing food in their homes which is timely during Covid-19.

The distribution (following social distancing and the use of face masks) was in partnership with the LGUs. A short ceremony was led by Linamon Mayor Randy Macapil; Vice Mayor Rachelle Vienna Abudiente; Municipal Agricultural Officer Irenila Obenza; Sangguniang Bayan member Renato Pestolante; and Provincial Coordinating Officer Jaime Jerusalem.

Mayor Macapil said, “This could really help our farmers during these trying times. A lot of positive changes happened ever since SAAD came to our LGU and I’m very thankful for it.”

MAO Obenza also added that the cattle will help the farmers affected by the COVID-19 to recover as it will be their additional source of income.

The training on livestock and vegetable production will be conducted once the Philippines will be cleared from the pandemic. At the moment, the LGU discussed the policies and guidelines on the proper implementation of cattle production. ###

Writer: Ruth Esther Bermundo, SAAD RPMSO 10, Information Officer

Editor: Jennifer Valcobero, NPMO PR and Communications Officer