NorCot farmers get cattle, carabaos as farming aid

KIDAPAWAN
CITY – At least 32 farmers in Makilala and Tulunan, both in North
Cotabato, are expected to be more productive in 2015 after the provincial
veterinary office dispersed large work animals over the weekend, officials said
today.
Dr.
Bel Gornez, veterinarian of the Office of the Provincial Veterinary Office (OPVet),
said the distribution of animals was part of the provincial animal dispersal
program which aims to help and assist small farmers strengthen livelihood and
increase productivity.
Gornez,
who spearheaded the dispersal, said of the 32 farmers, 17 were from Tulunan and
four from nearby Makilala.
In
a statement released by NorCot provincial government media, Barangay La
Esperanza Chairperson Erwin Angulo lauded the program as he assisted in the turnover
of farm animals. Angulo
thanked the provincial government of North Cotabato, particularly Gov. Emmylou
Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza for the program he described as surely beneficial to
the farmers and, if managed properly, would result to increased productivity.
As
a leader, I looked up to Gov. Taliño-Mendoza and her programs for the farmers.
This animal dispersal gives them the opportunity to increase livelihood and
production,” Angulo said.
Three
of the recipients namely, Jerry Gamba of Barangay Daig, Joel Tabalado of Magbok
and Rodelia de Pedro of Bagumbayan, all in Tulunan also expressed appreciation
for the cattles and carabaos they received from the OPVet.
We
are happy to become part of the OPVet’s program and we assure that this will be
productive and helpful to us,” Tabalado said in an interview during the Aksyon
Serbisyong Totoo,” radion program of the provincial government.
Under
the program, Dr. Rufino Sorupia, provincial veterinarian, told farmers that
they have responsibilities as recipients.
They
signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the OPVet which requires them to
take care of the work animals and ‘return’ the first sibling to the OPVet.The
recipients will not shell out any amount and receive the cattle and carabaos
for free.
As
a counterpart in sustaining the program, they have to give back to the OPVet
the first offspring of their animals so that the office can use them on the
succeeding dispersal program.