Prov’l gov’t taps ex-rebels, farmers for P2-M ‘balut’ production project

The Negros Occidental provincial government on Friday awarded PHP2 million worth of support package for balut (fertilized duck egg) production to former rebel group chapters and farmers associations across the province.

Ten beneficiaries were identified under the Itik-Pinas Raising for Balut and Salted Egg Project implemented by the Provincial Veterinary Office for the Animal and Poultry Dispersal for Priority Areas with funding from the 2024 Peace and Order Fund.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who led the project turnover at the capitol grounds here, said the province needs to fill the gap in its balut supply of about 700,000 pieces a month.

“Before the bird flu scare, we imported from other provinces. Right now, we do not allow it, that’s why we lack balut supply,” he added.

Negros Occidental’s balut requirement is almost one million pieces a month, but the province produces only about 250,000 pieces.

The project recipients include the Kapatiran San Carlos City Chapter, Kapatiran Para Sa Progresong Panlipunan Cadiz City Chapter, Kapatiran Locotan Chapter in Kabankalan City, and Kapatiran Talacdan Chapter in Cauayan town.

Kapatiran is the new name of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido Ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara-Paduano Group in line with its institutional transformation after entering into a peace agreement with the national government.

Other recipients were the Madaha Handweavers Association and Cunalom, Maliko-liko, Lunou Farmers Association in Himamaylan City; Camingawan Diversified Workers Association in Kabankalan City; Mambaroto Organic Farmers Association in Sipalay City; Inayawan Itik Farm Association in Cauayan; and Canlubang Farmers Cluster Association in Ilog.

The Itik-Pinas Project comprises 1,000 heads of duckling, 10 incubator units with 250-egg capacity and 127 bags of duck feeds.

Each beneficiary has an allocation of 100 heads of breeder duck, one unit of incubator and 12 bags of duck feeds.

Meanwhile, Lacson, in the presence of Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, turned over PHP342,000 in financial assistance to peace and development community volunteers from the Sentrong Alyansa ng Mamamayan Para sa Bayan (Sambayanan) Negros

Sambayanan is an organization composed of former rebels which advocates peace and development programs.

Under the province’s “Balik Salig Program,” the 21 volunteers pursue various undertakings in their communities with the assistance of the Philippine Army and the Provincial Planning and Development Office.* (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)