ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, February 3, 2021 – The Department of Agriculture-Region 9 – Regulatory Division oriented the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program beneficiaries of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to further improve their livestock and poultry management. The AWA (Republic Act 8485) orientation aims to provide awareness to the farmers on the proper treatment of the animals – may it be their nutrition, housing, and welfare.

Twenty members of the San Juan Farmers Association and Situbo Farmers Association attended the said activity on Wednesday at the municipal gymnasium of Sergio Osmeña. Both associations received Broiler Chicken Raising projects funded by the SAAD Program.

DA Regulatory Staff and resource speaker Ariben Nanong encouraged the associations to register at the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) as the FAs are about to maintain and manage a maximum of 12,000 chicks. The said Act states that any groups involved in selling animals should secure a certificate of registration.

Following the AWA Orientation, the team proceeded to the Broiler Chicken Project site of San Juan Farmers Association to conduct inspection and monitoring of the ongoing coop construction.  The coop is in preparation for the fourth cycle of the chicks.

Present during the activity were Regional Animal Welfare Officers Reynier Calupez and Jay Ladera, SAAD Action Officer Alrashid Salim, and Staff Engr. Alejandre Cordova, Provincial Coordinator Ronillo Dusaban, Livestock technician Jailyn Gamutan, Area Coordinator Catherine Aranton and Sergio Osmeña Municipal Agriculturist Satelito Bergado.

The “mobilization and empowerment of partners” and “food safety and regulations” are among the 12 key strategies under One DA framework mandated by Agriculture Secretary William Dar to attain the 2.5% GDP target for 2021. ###

Writer:               Aimee Lou D. Madjus, Information Officer- SAAD Zamboanga del Norte

Copy editor:      Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, PR and Comms Officer- SAAD NPMO