THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Northern Mindanao, through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (Saad) program, has given 50 manok pinoy or native chickens, and five bags of feeds to Anlag-Ani Tapukanan Cooperative stationed in the 1st CAFGU Active Auxiliary Company-II headquarters in Mandangoa, Balingsag in Misamis Oriental on May 24, 2022.
Saad, in a statement, said that the poultry inputs, consisting 10 male and 40 female native chicken and five bags of grower feeds, are worth P35,122.72.
Julio Romania Compas, a former rebels and now a member of the Anlag-Ani Tapukanan Cooperative, received the poultry inputs on behalf of the cooperative.
Compas surrendered to the 58th Infantry "Dimalulupig" Battalion (58th IB) in 2019 and has been raising chicken and goats in the headquarters.
During the turnover activity, Compas was thankful to the DA-Saad and assured that he and the other members of the cooperative who are also former rebels will take good care of the chicken.
"Pasalamat lang po ako sa DA sa ibinigay nila sa akin, yung chicken, aalagaan ko yan ng mabuti para magawa kong hanapbuhay sa sarili ko. Yun ang pinakamalaking salamat ko sa DA," Compas said.
(We are thankful to DA for the poultry inputs. We will take good care of the chickens so we can sell them.)
According to Compas, when he was still part of the rebel group, his life was hard as he had to travel unver the heat of the sun and the rain while being chased by the military troops.
"Kini karon makatulog, makakaon, naa pay kaugalingon nga trabaho, naa pa kay kaugalingong negosyo pero didto wala," Compas said.
(Compared to my life before, now, I can sleep well. I have food to eat, a job, and own business.)
In 2019, Compas voluntarily surrendered to the 58th IB.
For his part, First Lieutenant Vincent Mark Maddul, the Civil-Military Operation officer of the 58th IB, expressed his gratitude to the DA-Saad for the livelihood projects that have been a big help to the former rebels for them to sustain their living and help their families.
"Itong mga livelihood projects na binibigay ng ating mga agencies, especially Department of Agriculture, is a big help for them (former rebels) to have a sustainable livelihood in support sa kanila na bago sila makabalik sa mainstream society, meron silang livelihood to sustain their living and also to help their families," Maddul said.
"As part ng Civil-Military Operations ng 58th IB, natutuwa kami na nagsa-succeed or successful ang ating mga former rebels tungod sa mga programs and livelihood nga gihatag ng ating Department of Agriculture," he added.
After the turnover of the chicken, Compas and other soldiers under the 58th Infantry Battalion also underwent chicken raising orientation conducted by SAAD's Veterinarian Dr. Dianara Celeste Ua-o.
According to Ua-o, the chickens are expected to lay eggs by late July or early August of this year. The stocks produced from the chicken will be distributed to the other members of the Anlag-Ani Tapukanan Cooperative.
Lana May Racines, the Saad focal person, also expressed her appreciation for the continuous support of the Philippine Army.
"Ang SAAD is Special Area for Agricultural Development Program. It is a program of the Department of Agriculture na mag implement og livelihood projects sa mga poorest of the poor farmers," Racines said.
"We appreciate gyud kaayo sa Philippine Army because if there is poverty, if there is kagutom, naa gyud pud diha ang insurgency. Kung naa ang insurgency, naa pud ang kagutom. Partner sila. So partner ta sa pag-combat sa two aspects of insurgency," she added.
Saad, according to Racines, also plans to give another batch of 50 native chickens to the members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary Company II.