Guv fires back on livestock accounting

GOVERNOR Alfredo Marañon Jr. labeled the moves of Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez in pushing for the accounting of the P200-million worth of livestock purchased by his administration through loans as politically motivated.

"They have approved the project. They have also eaten and liked the lambs? Why are they raising such accounting only now that the political season is here?" Marañon pointed out, adding the records from the purchase to the number of beneficiaries for the cattle and sheep are open and ready.

Marañon said there are beneficiaries in almost every town and city in the province. Lamb was the most-loved menu that was featured in ongoing Negros Trade Fair at Rockwell Tent in Makati City.

"We must take note that we did not import the cattle. It is from General Santos City. We bought only sheep from Australia, as the plans to buy cattle in Australia did not push through," Marañon emphasized to correct reports that cattle were also acquired in Australia.

Further, Marañon reported that there were about 400 mortalities in sheep because of birth pains, considering that local caretakers of the sheep are not very familiar with the new breed.

Moreover, several sheep were eaten by stray dogs in the breeding farms in Sagay City and in Murcia. The caretakers thought that a disease caused the deaths of sheep but they later learned that the deaths were caused by stray dogs that usually attacked during nighttime.

Despite the mortalities, Marañon said the sheep and cattle population in Negros Occidental is increasing because of the continued reproduction of the livestock.

Marañon said that through the livestock project of his administration, Negros earned the distinction as the lamb capital of the Philippines. (Teresa D. Ellera)