The Department of Agriculture–Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Central Visayas distributed 113 cattle worth Php 5,484,414 to partner farmer associations (FAs) in Cebu and Bohol to support livestock production and fattening livelihood projects of SAAD farmers.
The distribution was scheduled last September 14–15, 2026 in Cebu and September 17–18, 2026 in Bohol
The intervention consists of 38 upgraded cattle heifers for breeding and production valued at Php 1,815,564 and 75 cattle for fattening worth Php 3,668,850.
Table 1. DA-SAAD Central Visayas Cattle Distribution
| PROVINCE | Municipality | Farmers Association | Heifer (head) | Bull (head) |
| Bohol | Alburquerque | Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Basacdacu (NAMASABA) | 7 | |
| Anda | Nagkahugpong nga mga Mag-uuma sa Buenasuerte Anda (NMBA) | 7 | ||
| Anda | Nagkahiusang Gagmayng Mag-uuma sa Tanod (NAGMATA) | 15 | ||
| Batuan | Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Rizal | 8 | ||
| Clarin | Katipunan Farmers Association (KAFA) | 8 | ||
| Loay | Tangcasan Norte Small Farmers Association | 8 | ||
| Sikatuna | Maguuma sa Cambuac Norte Farmers Association (MASCANA) | 7 | ||
| San Isidro | Asosasyon sa Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma Sa Baunos | 5 | ||
| San Isidro | Abehilan Farmers Association (AFA) | 5 | ||
| 22 | 48 | |||
| Cebu | Alcantara | Manga Farmers Association (MFA) | 8 | |
| Alcoy | Nug-as Active Worker’s Association (NAWA) | 8 | ||
| Boljoon | Nangka Womens Rural Workers Association (NWRWA) | 9 | ||
| Ronda | Nagkahiusang Mamumuo | 9 | ||
| Ronda | Langin Integrated Farmers Association (LIFA) | 9 | ||
| 16 | 27 | |||
| TOTAL | 38 | 75 | ||
Of the total allocation, Bohol received 70 head, comprising 22 heifers and 48 bulls, while Cebu received 43 head, consisting of 16 heifers and 27 cattle for fattening.
In Bohol, the 22 heifers are allocated to farmers’ associations in Anda, while the 48 bulls will be distributed to associations in Alburquerque, Batuan, Clarin, Loay, San Isidro, and Sikatuna.
Meanwhile, Cebu’s allocation includes 16 heifers for FAs in Alcantara and Alcoy and 27 bulls for associations in Boljoon and Ronda.
Table 2. Summary of the procurement of DA-SAAD Central Visayas Cattle
| Interventions | Quantity (head) | Unit Cost | Total Cost (Php) |
| Upgraded Cattle Heifer (Production) | 38 | 47,778.00 | 1, 815,564.00 |
| Cattle Fattener (Bull) | 75 | 48,918.00 | 3,668, 850.00 |
| 113 | 5, 484, 414.00 |
Before the distribution, the cattle underwent reweighing and inspection to make sure they met the required specifications.
The activity was conducted in Sagbayan, Bohol, led by Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Bohol Roman Dabalos, together with the DA-SAAD Bohol Provincial Project Management Support Office (PPMSO) team, including Provincial Coordinator Darwin Boncales, Information Officer II Jessa Mae Itang, and DA-Central Visayas Inspector Donald Joy Ejorpe.
Dabalos said the reweighing confirmed that all cattle scheduled for distribution in Bohol were above the minimum required weight of 200 kilograms, with some animals weighing as much as 270 kilograms.
Ejorpe likewise confirmed that the cattle met the required weight and other specifications during the inspection.
The cattle were procured as upgraded or improved breeds, aged between 20 and 24 months and weighing at least 200 kilograms. They were also required to be in good physical condition and apparently healthy, with proper ear tags and five-meter ropes for taming.
Before delivery, the animals were dewormed and vaccinated against Hemorrhagic Septicemia at least two weeks in advance, with corresponding certification from a licensed veterinarian. At least half of the cattle were also required to undergo random fecal analysis to check for internal parasites.
For Cebu, the distribution activities were led by Assistant Provincial/Municipal Coordinator Jehson T. Campos, with Area Coordinators Justine Francis A. Ragay and Airine B. Piñero assisting in the implementation.
During the distribution, SAAD beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and satisfaction upon receiving the cattle for fattening and production.
Gilbert Villaluz, a member of the Katipunan Farmers Association in Katipunan, Clarin, Bohol, expressed his gratitude to the DA-SAAD Program for providing the association with cattle for their livelihood project.
Villaluz said the association was grateful to finally receive the cattle they had been looking forward to, noting that the animals were bigger and healthier than they had expected.
“Nagpasalamat ko’g dako sa Department of Agriculture sa paghatag ning maong baka. Nalipay kaayo ko, labi na akong mga kauban sa Katipunan Farmers Association. Dako jud kaayo among pasalamat, labaw na sa DA-SAAD kay niabot na gyud ang baka nga among gipangandoy. Dako kaayo among pasalamat kay ang among gi-expect nga kadak-on sa baka, mao gyud ang among nadawat. Murag moabot gyud og 200-plus kilograms ang timbang,” Villaluz said.
(We are very grateful to the Department of Agriculture for providing us with these cattle. We are very happy, especially the members of the Katipunan Farmers Association. We are truly thankful to DA-SAAD because the cattle we had been hoping for have finally arrived. We are very grateful because the cattle we received are as big as we expected, and we believe they weigh more than 200 kilograms.)
Through the livestock intervention, DA-SAAD provides partner farmer associations with production assets intended to strengthen cattle production and fattening enterprises while creating additional livelihood opportunities for farmers in Central Visayas.
