August 22, 2024

Philippines' livestock association commits to government labour programme

The Sibalom Livestock and Poultry Raisers Association (SILPRA) in the municipality of Sibalom, Antique province, Philippines, has reaffirmed its support for the livelihood program of the country's Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE), aimed at helping poor, marginalised, and vulnerable sectors, Philippine News Agency reported.

SILPRA was recognised as the best civil society organisation co-partner in Western Visayas for the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Project (DILP) during the 2024 Regional DOLE Kabuhayan Awards.

As part of this recognition, DOLE awarded SILPRA a grant of PHP 1.5 million (US$26,600).

Since 2023, SILPRA has been a key partner of DOLE in the implementation of the DILP, providing native chickens, cattle, and piglets for the agency's livelihood initiatives.

In an interview, SILPRA president Elma Pena said they have been supplying native chickens, cattle, and piglets for the livelihood programme as a partner of DOLE since last year.

SILPRA has a membership of 672 individuals raising livestock and poultry in Sibalom and other towns across Antique province. The association has consistently supplied DOLE's identified beneficiaries who are interested in native chicken and cattle farming, as well as hog raising.

In 2023, SILPRA received a PHP 1 million (US$17,700) grant from DOLE, which was utilised to purchase corn from local farmers. The corn was then processed into animal feed at a feed mill provided by the Department of Agriculture.

As part of its future plans, SILPRA intends to establish stores that will sell fresh and processed chicken and meat, sourced from its members and DOLE beneficiaries.

-      Philippine News Agency