The local government unit (LGU) of Tarragona, Davao Oriental received a livelihood package for layer chicken production worth PHP3.8 million from the Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-11) on Friday.

Regional Director Macario Gonzaga led the ceremonial turnover of checks to the beneficiaries at the DA-11 regional office, urging LGU representatives to “maximize the grant by enhancing livestock production and fostering sustainable livelihood opportunities within their communities.”

The assistance is under the DA-Livestock Program’s Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED). It aims to transform traditional backyard livestock raising into a sustainable and profitable community enterprise. Gonzaga assured that more beneficiaries across the region are expected to receive their respective interventions in the coming months.

On Wednesday, the DA-11 also turned over to Davao del Sur a PHP1 million LEED package for the Cogon Bacaca Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (Cobarbemco) in Kiblawan.

About 20 recipient members of Cobarbemco received 20 heads of heifer worth PHP940,000 and 48 bags of feeds valued at PHP105,600.

Under the project’s sustainability scheme, other cooperative members will receive the same intervention once the distributed cattle reproduce, ensuring a continuous and expanding impact of the enterprise assistance.

Cobarbemco chairperson Joesielyn Rellin thanked DA-11 and the local government for their continued support.

“This project will greatly help our members start and grow their livestock livelihood. We hope for continued guidance and support as we strive to sustain this enterprise,” she added. (PNA)