THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental, through its Field Unit in First District, has extended 250 heads of free-range chicks to 25 rebel-returnees from Don Salvador Benedicto town.
The distribution was held during a consultation dialogue held in Barangay Bato in Sagay City recently.
It was facilitated by the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army.
Provincial Veterinarian RenanteDecena said the PVO has been a partner of the Philippine Army and other government agencies in giving livelihood assistance to former rebels.
Decena said the animal stocks given to the recipients will provide them an income opportunity, particularly through egg and meat production.
"These are suitable business ventures at this time," he added.
The PVO said the dispersed animals are of high-quality stocks seen to boost backyard free-range production in the province.
These stocks are known to contain high-quality protein and are budget-friendly especially to both existing and aspiring small-scale farmers who cannot afford to buy commercial feeds
The distributed free-range chicken only requires low-cost production inputs in terms of housing and feeds.
The availability of quality genetics of free-range chicken extended by the Provincial Government to various farmers' associations, federations, and individual raisers is part of its poverty alleviation and economic recovery measures among Negrense families, it added.