TWO indigenous people organizations in Porac, Pampanga received carabaos and cattle from the Department of Agriculture (DA) as part of the agency’s support for Indigenous People Organizations (IPOs).

Among the beneficiaries were Usbong Katutubo Indigenous People Agricultural Cooperative of Barangay Camias that received one carabao and three cattle, and Samasama sa Kaunlaran Para sa Pagsulong ng Barangay Ayta Inararo Incorporated of Barangay Inararo that was given four carabaos and two cattle.

The support program is under the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks) program of the DA, which aims to provide needed support to IPO groups involved in indigenous farming.

The program derives funding from the Special Area for Agricultural Development and is part of the government’s efforts of empowering the IPs to enable them to rise from poverty.

The 4Ks program also aims to develop and improve the productivity of communities by developing sustainable agricultural and livelihood programs.

Aside from the Pampanga-based IPOs, the Payangan Ayta Ambala Farmers Association of Barangay Payangan, Dinalupihan, Bataan also received two carabaos and two cattle from the same program.