Bohol A1 one of country's best!

TAGBILARAN City- BOHOL ranks third throughout the country in “Outstanding LGUs with Artificial Insemination Program,” Livestock Development Council (LDC) of the Department of Agriculture in Manila recently. Provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz told the Post that she has been informed of the development through a letter written by LDC Executive Director Pedro Ocampo addressed to Gov. Erico Aumentado dated March 22. “...we are inviting you or your representative and Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Provincial Veterinarian to receive the award during the Awarding Ceremony to be held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall, Elliptical Road , Dilliman, Quezon City on March 29, at 1 p.m. Dir. Ocampo said.

Dr. Lapiz however sent Provincial Artificial Insemination Coordinator Johnny Samson to receive the award in behalf of the Provincial Government and the OPV. It maybe recalled that LDC sent a team of evaluators to Bohol and conducted evaluation of all big impact projects of Artificial Insemination on cattle and carabao in the pilot areas of Corella, Dauis, Panglao and San Miguel. The undertaking was technically supported by the Confederation of Boholanos in USA and Canada (Conbusac) through President Lito Dano. Liquid Nitrogen tank was also donated to the program. The LDC evaluators noted government's support on the AI projects; the organization of the provincial Al coordinator and the coordination with other PVO technicians.

LDC cited good strategy on Al dissemination, combining health clinic with Al program, bringing the animals in one setting and the number of Al outputs. This year's awarding coincided to the 30th Anniversary of the Livestock Development Council last March 29. Other awardees are Negros Oriental and Bukidnon Provinces , which ranks first and second respectively.

The program's success under the present administration of Gov. Erico Aumentado and Vice Governor Julius Ceasar with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was destined when a Memorandum of Agreement was entered into by the province with the different Municipal LGUs. The MOA was for adoption and sustainability of the program by allocating funds for semen procurement in the massive production of large animals in their respective turfs. Based on the 2002 Livestock Population of Bohol data shows that cattle has topped 69,707 and Carabao 62,818. Total value is pegged at P1,590 billion. For now, OPV has directed Al technicians under Production Division Chief Mario Nilo Ochoco and Johnny Samson, PAIC head to scale the mountain barangays of Bohol to conduct Al using Highbred semen of cattle and carabao.

l