53 paravets from 2 towns get retraining certificates

TAGBILARAN City – BOHOL'S livestock program earned new volunteers as 53 newly reoriented Barangay Livestock Aides (BALA) or para-veterinarians took their certificates of completion in different training venues recently. In Loboc town, re-trained 28 Balas saddled the training last July 27-28 at the Farmers Information Training Services Building. While in Sierra Bullones, 33 Balas completed the intensive undertaking August 2-3 at the Multi Purpose Training Center at the Municipal Building.

Municipal Kagawad Margel Hilot, Agriculture Committee Chair of the Sangguniang Bayan of Loboc dared participants to double their efforts to realize the dream field of massive livestock and poultry production in the town's 24 barangays. With Loboc playing host to the scenic river tours and floating restaurants, the need for more supply of livestock puts the issue as an imperative.

She also handed-over the certificates of completion to the participants in lieu of Mayor Leon Calipusan who was in Manila . Felipe Limbago, Alfredo Varquez Municipal Agricultural Officer and Livestock Technician respectively assisted her.

For his part, Private Secretary to the Mayor's Office Generoso Atup challenged Balas to spin the wheel towards the implementation of Livestock and Poultry Development Program of the town using latest technology on animal raising. This is, for him in the purposes of uplifting the living condition of the farmers in the countryside.

He said that Sierra-Bullones is the best site for animal farming because of its vast pastureland. Municipal Agricultural Officer Rodrigo Pacumios and Livestock Technician Maximo Mendez assisted the training. Lecturers on both re-orientations were Dr. Roberto Castro of the Agricultural Training Institute in Tagbilaran City , Romeo Cano and Josefina Ladera of the Provincial Veterinarian Office. The trainees were re-exposed to actual castration of goats, piglets, vaccination of cattles, carabao, chickens and other animal related services.

The modules taken during the training include latest techniques in vaccination, application of antibiotics and its withdrawal period, proper application of vitamins and nutrition. Also there was forage and pasture management and improved native chicken production and management. The Provincial Veterinarian's Office with the collaborative support from the local government units concerned sponsored the activities.

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