BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Supply of poultry meat and eggs in the province would not be a problem in the coming months as more local livestock farmers benefit in the dispersal of three to four weeks old “bounty chicks” by the Provincial Government.
Focal Person for Provincial Poultry Development Program June Pinayakan of the Office of the Governor said the second batch comprising 13 organizations were recently provided with 100 heads of bounty chicks each. The chicken’s housing and food supply will be the counterpart of the organization.
The second batch were from District II covering the municipalities of Sabangan, Sagada, Tadian, Bauko and Besao as earlier planned to ensure synchronized and orderly distribution of chicks to the recipients.
The Provincial Government targets one organization in every barangay to ensure equal distribution of poultry.
The second batch of recipients are Heifer Partner Families Cooperative, Masika Organization, Bun-ayan Organization, Maggon RIC Organization, Palpalidan Livestock Growers, Suysuyoc Women’s Organization, RIC Lagan, Demang RIC, Lagawa Caputan Farmers Organization, Banao Farmers and Animal Raisers Association, Ub-ubbo Farmers Organization, Kabalikat Organization and Bansa Women’s Organization.
Qualified to avail are registered organizations, with 15 minimum members, and has submitted a copy of resolution requesting to be included in the program.
First come, first serve basis will also be followed and the organization must seek approval to avail of the program from the respective Punong Barangay.
To guarantee the survival rate of the bounty chicks, the members of the organization underwent an orientation on proper poultry raising which was conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Office headed by Provincial Veterinarian Rodelio Bagawi.
Information education campaign materials on proper poultry raising were also provided to the recipients.
To ensure sustainability of the livelihood project, the Focal Person for Provincial Poultry Development Program, together with the staff of the Provincial Veterinary Office will conduct continuous monitoring.
Recipient organizations are required to submit quarterly report on the status of their poultry livelihood to the Focal Person for Provincial Poultry Development Program.
The program was conceptualized as a counter measure of the provincial government on the shortage of poultry production in Mountain Province, as poultry meat and eggs being sold in the market came from nearby provinces.
This is also a response of the Provincial Government to the result of the 2015 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority that Mountain Province is considered as one of the poorest province in Northern Luzon.
Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr. together with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, immediately approved the allocation of P1.5 million for the purchase of bounty chicks to be dispersed to the identified organizations believing these will be an income generating livelihood to the organizations and the members as well. (PR)