To support farming activities such as land preparation, hauling of goods, and other field tasks, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program distributed 56 caracows to nine farmers’ associations in the municipalities of La Castellana, Batad, San Rafael, Buruanga, and Tangalan.
The distribution, conducted on May 21–23 and June 6, 2025, aims to boost farm productivity, ease labor demands, and provide sustainable assistance to farmers who rely on draft animals as a vital part of their livelihood.
Table 1. Recipients of Caracows
| Farmers Association | Address | Total Received (head) |
|---|---|---|
| Mandayao Gomez Farmers and Workers Association | Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental | 5 |
| Hacienda Agho Camandag Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | Camandag, La Castellana, Negros Occidental | 5 |
| Mainuswagon nga Asosasyon nga may Gabay nga Handum nga Ipadayon nga Maghimakas agud Maangkon ang Kahilwayan sa palangabuhian kag duta nga Aguman sang Taga-Talaptap (MAGHIMAKAS-TA) | Talaptap, La Castellana, Negros Occidental | 7 |
| Tapian Farmers Association | Tapian, Batad, Iloilo | 5 |
| San Florentino Food Garden Association | San Florentino, San Rafael, Iloilo | 6 |
| Brgy. Poscolon Calamansi Growers Association | Poscolon, San Rafael, Iloilo | 7 |
| Tag-osip Farmers Association | Tag-osip, Buruanga, Aklan | 7 |
| Sapsapon Vegetable Growers Association | Tigum, Buruanga, Aklan | 7 |
| Sitio Ilaya Pudiot Tangalan Farmers Association | Pudiot, Tangalan, Aklan | 7 |
TOTAL | 56 | |
Each head was valued at Php 50,000, accounting to Php 2,800,000 total cost, and this provision is part of the support interventions under livelihood project packages on corn, vegetable, and banana production.
With the increasing need for additional power in land preparation, the program has seen the provision as a way to support the beneficiaries’ farm activities and ultimately, bolster their efficiency and productivity.
Mr. Ramon Dungo, President of MAGHIMAKAS-TA, has shared his gratitude to which he said, “Ako, kaupod sang mga miyembro ko nga naka-agum sang karbaw, sa idalom sang dispersal project sang DA-SAAD, dako guid ang pasalamat namon nga nagaan kami sang dugang nga pangabuhian kag timbang sa pagpanguma. Paagi man sa sini nga proyekto, ang tagsa ka miyembro makahatag man sang inspirasyon sa iban nga mga asosasyon nga maging aktibo sa mga hilikuton sa asosasyon. Sa SAAD, madamo guid nga salamat.”
[I, together with my members who were able to receive caracows, are very much grateful for the additional livelihood provided by SAAD that can assist us in our land preparation. Through this project, each recipient can serve as an inspiration to other associations to actively participate in the activities of their group. Thank you so much, SAAD.]
Another member of MAGHIMAKAS-TA, Ms. Shirley Gamilla, also expressed her appreciation to the provision, “First time ko nakabaton sang karbaw. Dako guid ini nga bulig sa akon pamilya kag sa pag-eskwela sang akon mga kabataan sa ulihi. Kaluy-an guid sang Ginoo nga magdamo ini kay dako guid ang mabulig sa amon pagpanguma.”
[It’s my first time to receive a caracow and I consider this a great help for my family and for the education of my children in the near future. I pray to God that it can produce offspring because it can aid us in our farming activities.]
The turnover events in Negros Occidental and Iloilo were led by Area Coordinators, Mr. Jezer John Chispa and Mr. Riczan Galan, together with the Inspection Committee in the person of Mr. Jairus Sirue with the support of the Municipal Agriculture Offices of each respective town.
Meanwhile, in Aklan, SAAD Alternate Assistant Focal Person Ms. Charmae F. Antipatia and Operations, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation Lead Ms. Sheryl Mae Gaylan, assisted the distribution among the three FAs.
