Capitol cites efforts of Negrense animal raisers for resilient sector

BACOLOD City - The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has underscored the contribution of animal raisers in sustaining resilient livestock and poultry production in Negros Occidental.

Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said Tuesday the provincial government recognizes these efforts by giving out awards to outstanding animal raisers every year.

Decena said the strong partnership between the provincial government, raisers and the local government units has been the key to Negros Occidental’s lead in nationwide animal production.

In 2016, Negros Occidental maintained its ranking as the number one producer of backyard swine and native chicken in the country.

Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority ( PSA) last month showed the province produced 448,657 heads of backyard swine in 2016 followed by Camarines Sur in second place, with 284,390 heads.

Negros Occidental also topped in native chicken production with almost 5.13 million heads last year. Iloilo placed second with 4.16 million heads.

Meanwhile, the PVO has named the 22 outstanding animal raisers in the province who will be recognized during the awarding rites on April 29 at the Panaad Park and Stadium here.

The competition is part of the Pasidungog sa Panguma, Pangisda kag Pangkasapatan, which is one of the main activities of the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival.

This year’s awardees include Cauayan town’s Ernesto Mendoza and Lorie Pinsoy, who are outstanding backyard swine raiser and most innovative animal raiser, respectively.

The two winners from Kabankalan City are Elmo Carbajosa as outstanding dairy cattle raiser, and Ruel Rodriguez as outstanding sheep raiser while Hinoba-an town’s Joseph Pasague is outstanding duck raiser.

Jaime Encabo Jr. is this year’s outstanding beef cattle raiser; Dr. Romeo Agraviador Jr., outstanding integrated farming practitioner; Fritzie Dolocanog, outstanding livestock and poultry entrepreneur; and Elmer Reyes Jr., outstanding technician in artificial insemination for large animals.

All four are from the province’s First District covering the cities of San Carlos, Escalante, and the municipalities of Calatrava, Toboso and Salvador Benedicto.

Individual category winners include Ma. Teresa Gasataya of Hinigaran, outstanding backyard egg producer; Hermano Percival of Talisay City, outstanding carabao raiser, Second District Board Member Samson Mirhan of Cadiz City, outstanding goat raiser; Joselito Montinola of E.B. Magalona, outstanding free- range chicken raiser; Atty. Henry Yap of Bago City, outstanding animal tourism advocate; and Albert Javier of Manapla, outstanding technician in artificial insemination for swine.

Mary Ann Nitor and family of Candoni is this year’s outstanding family i n l ivestock production; K a b a n k a l a n A n i ma l Breeding a nd Genetic I mprovement C e n t e r, o u t s t a n d i n g a n i mal breeding center; Hinoba- an Animal Breeding and Past u r e Development Center, outstanding LGU i n pasteur development; C a u a y a n Hog Rai s e r s Association, outstanding a s s oci a t i on i n a ni mal genetic improvement; and City of Kabankalan Poultry a nd Livestock Raisers Marketing Cooperative, m o s t c o o p e r a t i v e a s s o c i a t i o n i n t h e implementation of Negros First Animal Livelihood Program.

The Pulupandan Paravet Association is outstanding volunteer association on animal health services while La Castellana Hog Raisers Association i s outstanding association i n a n i m a l p r o d u c t development.

I ndividual c a t e g ory winners will each receive P 2 0 , 0 0 0 while g r o u p category awardees will get P25,000.

Now on i t s s eventh year, t he province- wide competition focuses on the Negrense animal raisers’ contribution as partners of the provincial government i n i m p l e m e n t i n g programs and measures f or t he development of the livestock and poultry industry.

( PNA)