Aumentado, HPI ink P37.6-M livestock dispersal project

A DOZEN more Bohol towns will benefit from the expansion of the highly successful Let's Help Bohol Program – a livestock dispersal program with parallel income-generating projects. Gov. Erico Aumentado and Eduardo Sabio, country representative of the Heifer Project International (HPI)- Philippines Thursday signed a letter of agreement at the Century Park Hotel in Manila for the P37.609-million Livestock Integration for Food and Family Enhancement (LIFFE) for Boholanos. Aumentado expressed gratitude to HPI for helping pluck Bohol out of Club 20 – the country's 20 poorest provinces – to the 52nd slot it holds today out of 79 provinces. Bohol was No. 17 in 2000. Sabio said he was glad HPI was of help. Their choice of focus on family instead of the macro apparently proved effective.

Under the agreement, HPI will provide over P17.88 million for the acquisition of livestock commodities to include carabaos, goats, swine, ducks and chickens, training and education, group- and family-based enterprises through income-generating activities, and savings and fund mobilization. From a revolving fund, qualified groups or families can avail of loans without interest, payable in two years. The counterpart fund of P19.727 million will be raised by the provincial and 12 municipal local government units (LGUs) and people's organizations (POs).

Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, provincial veterinarian presented the proposal to Sabio towards the close of the Livelihood Enhancement Towards Sustainable Human and Environmental Paradigm for Bohol (Let's Help Bohol) Program. The expansion towns are Dagohoy, Trinidad , Ubay, Pres. Garcia, Sierra Bullones, Inabanga, Getafe , Talibon, Danao, Bien Unido, Buenavista and San Miguel.

Expected to benefit are 1,380 family participants who are island villagers, riverbank dwellers, displaced families, victims of submerged communities, women and other marginal poor farmers and fisher folk in localities with the highest poverty incidences, with less government assistance and with insurgency problems. Lapiz said through this holistic and integrated project, participating families are expected to become self-reliant and learning communities, with sustained food and livelihood incomes and living in a healthier environment.

She said and initial 660 families will be provided with 300 water buffaloes, 1,066 goats, 50 pigs, 1,980 chickens, 1,250 ducks, planting materials and supplies needed for the establishment of integrated farms and organic food gardens. They will also build capacities in technical and organizational knowledge and skills. These “original” families are expected to “pass on the gift” to 720 families more.

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