ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, May 28, 2021- The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program provided a Php 1.39 million worth of egg production livelihood to the 30 Indigenous Peoples (IP) of Milidan Kalipi Women’s Association at Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte.

The association received 20 modules of Layer Chicken Raising Project with 960 ready-to-lay chickens.

Association President Lorna Guling expressed her gratitude to the program for the interventions and to the Baliguian local government unit (LGU), which provided the housing for the chickens and materials for electrical connection.

“Our gratitude is immeasurable. Others may see this project as just eggs, but for us, it is our future.  Because of this opportunity you gave us, we commit ourselves to strive hard to take care of this project,” she said.

After the turnover, a training on Layer Chicken Production was conducted to equip them with enough knowledge on properly managing and sustaining the project.

DA-SAAD Livestock Technician Jailyn Gamutan served as the resource person during the training.

Partnership with the LGU

The DA-SAAD Provincial Coordinator Ronillo Dusaban shared that the partnership between the Program and the LGU of Baliguian made implementation of the project possible.

“The program may have given you the inputs but without the close coordination of the LGU, this will not be realized. We are happy that our mission to provide assistance to the poorest of the poor is made possible because of the partnership. We may have differences in tribe, religious and political beliefs, but both our aim is to help the community,” he stated.

Baliguian Mayor Albina Esmali also explained the important role of women to the project and said she is grateful for this livelihood opportunity provided to the association. “Now, the success of this project lies in your hands. With hard work and unity, you will have a bright future ahead,” she added.

Sangguniang Bayan member and Committee on Agriculture Chair Gani Esmali said that the project will also give convenience for them. He said, “We no longer have to go to the neighboring municipalities to buy eggs. We can also safely say that these eggs are fresh and affordable.”

“We are immensely thankful also to the DA-SAAD for catering the needs of the IPs because we can really see that they need assistance from the government,” he added.

Also present during the program are the Municipal Agriculturist Joele S. Selecio, Agricultural Technician Joseph Magallanes, LGU HVCDP coordinator Marife Borres, Area Coordinator Benhar Abunawas, and other DA-SAAD Provincial Management staff.

The Program remains steadfast in bridging the gap between the poorest of the poor and the livelihood opportunities of the government. ###

Writer: Aimee Lou D. Madjus, Information Officer- DA-SAAD Zamboanga del Norte
Copy-editor: Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, PR and Comms Officer- SAAD NPMO