BOHOL, July 2, 2020 – “The farmer-beneficiaries were very happy to receive the draft animals and inputs. They were grateful to the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program for the assistance which arrived in this time where it is needed the most,” said DA Region 7 Regional Executive Director (RED) Atty. Salvador Diputado.
A total of 60 heifer carabaos were distributed to the 60 farmer-beneficiaries from six barangays of Bien Unido (10 carabaos were distributed to 10 farmers from each barangays (Liberty, Mandawa, Nueva Esperanza, Nueva Estrella, Poblacion, and Tuburan). They also received 120 containers of molasses, 180 bags of pollard, and 60 bags of rice bran as starter feeds prior to the distribution of the animals.
The carabao-based production project has a budget allocation of Php 2.11 million under the 2019 budget, of which Php 1.8 million was for the procurement of heifer carabaos through fund transfer to the local government of Bien Unido, whereas the remaining amount (Php.312,000) was for the purchase of starter feeds (120 bags molasses, 180 bags pollard and 60 bags rice bran) were purchased through DA7 procurement and already received by the beneficiaries.
Local officials, led by Bien Unido Mayor Rene Borinaga, Vice Mayor Ramon Arcenal, Bohol .2nd District Representative Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Sangguniang Bayan members, and barangay officials, were present to receive the interventions.
Mayor Borinaga, together with the rest of the local officials, expressed her deepest thanks to DA Secretary William D. Dar and pledges to support the agency’s programs, such as the SAAD Program and the Rice Resiliency Program.
The SAAD program is another project of DA which seeks to reduce production cost by no longer hiring draft animals for farm operations.
DA Region 7 SAAD Regional Focal Person Ms. Aurea M. Madrio added that the project will contribute to the increase of livestock inventory in the municipality. The animals will also be additional sources of breeding and reproduction, helping the livestock sector in Bohol to grow. ###
Writers:
Quian Ibarra, DA-RFO 7 RAFIS
Jemiema Arro, Public Relation and Communication Officer
