BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental provincial government continues its efforts to further strengthen the local livestock and poultry industry.
Through the annual Livestock and Dairy Fair, being held this year as part of the 26th Panaad sa Negros Festival until Sunday, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is showcasing the province’s flourishing animal raising industry.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said on Friday that this year, Negros Occidental is pushing for the creation of a black pig association.
Black pig raising requires low-cost production inputs in terms of housing, feeding and maintenance, yet the income is high, he noted.
“We are highlighting black pig production in this year’s fair. It can be a potential alternative for our raisers, given its huge market here in Negros,” he added.
Decena said Negros Occidental remains the number one producer of backyard swine in the country.
At the opening of the fair on Monday, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the provincial government continues to work on improving the genetics of local stocks, especially hogs.
Swine is the second biggest industry in the country, next to rice, the governor said.
Meanwhile, a total of 18 individuals, groups and local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental were feted during the Provincial Veterinary Achievers Awards held at the Livestock and Dairy Fair Area of the Panaad Park and Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The PVO gave recognition to its partners from the public and private sectors, who contributed to the development of the province’s livestock and poultry industry.
Recognized were Martin Samuel Manuel Torres and Placeda Lemana as this year’s Tatak Veterinarian awardees.
The PVO District Field Unit 6 was named outstanding district field unit, and Bago City, as outstanding partner-LGU for the Provincial Rabies Prevention and Control Program.
Lodilyn Pagunsan was recognized as outstanding livestock coordinator while Ma. Chona Salas and Santiago Nietes were outstanding field monitoring officer on livestock dispersal and re-dispersal, and outstanding farmworker, respectively.
The Calvary Chapel Christian School received the award for outstanding academe on multiplier farm adaption and sustainability while the Manara Ata Tribal Council was named outstanding agency and organization on promoting livestock development.
Other awardees were the Alliance of Hog Raisers Association in Negros Occidental as outstanding PVO organized association and Bulahan nga Nanay Association as outstanding women’s association on livestock development.
Also recognized were Erwin Nicavera as outstanding partner on public information and advocacy award; Joenilo Mamaed, outstanding paravet; engineer Marilyn Manuel, outstanding partner on research and development; Mark Ezzer Ligan, outstanding young animal raiser; Timothy Gargantiel, outstanding agri-livestock technology advocate; Julieta Evelyn Aguillon, exemplary service awardee; and Alpha Grace Tupas, PVO employee of the year.
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