Vet office disperses P3.8-M animals in 7 months

THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental, through its Negros First Provincial Animal Dispersal Program, has dispersed a total of 10,533 heads of livestock and poultry animals worth about P3.8 million during the first seven months of the year.

Data obtained by SunStar Bacolod on August 16 showed that PVO distributed 1,160 heads of swine amounting to P2.9 million; 8,486 heads of free-range chicken worth 635,000; 810 heads of ducks worth P85,000; and 95 heads of goat amounting to P250,000.

PVO reports also showed that from January to June 2018, the program has benefited 1,255 families, 80 non-government organizations (NGOs) and farmers associations, and 14 local government units (LGUs) with duck and free-range chicken multiplier farms.

By end of this year, PVO targets to distribute 2,000 heads more of swine.

For free-range chicken, at least 15,000 heads are up for distribution; 1,500 heads more of ducks; and additional 250 heads of goats for qualified farmer-recipients of the program.

Joselito Jaballa, officer-in-charge of Livestock Services Division of PVO, said the animal dispersal is one component of the Negros First Animal Livelihood Program that aims to augment the livelihood of farmer-raisers in the province.

The program is complemented by the Animal Genetic Improvement Program positioned to upgrade the genetic makeup of local stocks, Jaballa said.

“The animal dispersal and re-dispersal initiatives of PVO have been contributing positively to the growth of our livestock and poultry industry,” he said, adding that “the program has enabled farmers to improve their livelihood while contributing to the overall production output of the province.”