Fifty-six members of Igbarawan Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. composed of farmers, women, senior citizens, out-of-school youth and displaced workers have benefited from DOLE's livelihood project known as the “Kabuhayan Program.”
Currently, the group is rearing 675 heads of ready-to-lay hens.
To ensure high production of the commodity, beneficiaries were likewise provided with feeds, vitamins, vaccines, other raw materials and equipment needed for the group-managed project of the barangay.
DOLE 6 regional director lawyer Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr., who supports diversified farming, is hopeful that the project will be sustainable, considering the high demand of eggs in the province of Antique.
Rodriguez further emphasized that the livelihood project suits the skills and expertise of the beneficiaries and is highly-adaptable to their environment.
The DOLE 6 hopes the initiative will supply the needs of local residents and has its potential to penetrate other markets, if managed well.
Antique Field Office head Ma. Cecilia S. Acebuque cited that the Kabuhayan Program of the DOLE aims to uplift the economic condition of workers from the informal sector through the provision of livelihood projects.
Further, it has been noted that the said project is under the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) which provides grant
assistance for capacity-building on livelihood and entrepreneurial ventures for vulnerable and marginalized workers.
With the intervention received, Igbarawan punong barangay Jeremias Berte expressed his gratitude to the DOLE 6 for the opportunity entrusted to them to become a “channel of blessings” for their constituents. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6)
