BANGUED, Abra (PlA) -- The Department of Agriculture Cordillera Regional Field Office(DA- RFO) has started the release of cattle  in support to the recovery of Abrenian farmers affected by Typhoon Maring last year.

 The cattle dispersal is a part of the agency's rehabilitation program  in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian and the Office of  the Provincial Agriculturist of Abra.

 The distribution was held at the breeding station of OPVET in Barangay Calaba, Bangued.
 
Agriculture Program Coordinating Office Abra head Dr. Rosemarie Tesoro said the first 60 beneficiaries from the  municipalities of  Bucay, La Paz, Lagangilang, Lagayan, Langiden, Peñarrubia, San Isidro and San Juan received minimum of one cattle each.   Some received more depending on the reported damages.  

The distribution was held at the breeding station of OPVET in Barangay Calaba, Bangued.

“Under this rehabilitation program of DA, a total of 166 farmers across the province of Abra were selected to get cattle but we released the first 60 since the supplier is not able to deliver them all in a day,” Tesoro explained. She assured that the remaining cattle   will be released to   beneficiaries as     soon as the supplier delivers them.

 Beneficiaries expressed   thanks to DA for the livelihood assistance.   

 “May mga na-recover naman kaming mga baka pagkatapos ng bagyo ngunit di rin sila naka-survive. Malaking kawalan sa aking pero nagpapasalamat ako sa ating gobyerno dahil kahit papano, makakapagsimula ulit ako sa pagaalaga ng baka,” said Eufehemio Trinidad, a recipient from   Bucay who    lost 10 cattle and 26 goats    in   a flood due to Typhoon Maring.   
 
Nida Pascua Latawan from Lagben, Lagangilang   added,   “Nagpapasalamat ako dahil isa ako sa mga napili na tumanggap ng suporta mula DA. Malaking tulong ito lalo na sa aming mga magsasaka dahil marami ang Nawala sa amin noong bagyong Maring”.  
 

Last January, DA also dispersed around 100 heads of goat for Abrenian farmers affected by last year’s habagat. It is also a part of DA’s rehabilitation program. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)