LUNA, Apayao – Governor Elias Bulut, Jr. challenged the 2nd Batch Graduates of the Farmers Livestock School (FLS) on Goat Enterprises to work out what they’ve learned in tending goats and sheep during their graduation rites on December 15, 2016 at the Coffee Shop of the Provincial Capitol of Apayao.
As guest speaker, Governor Bulut dared the seventeen graduates in the presence of their mentors/teachers together with other officials to display what they’ve got by showing that the animal stocks provided to them will soon produce their own.
“I will only believe you if you could show me in the span of one (1) year that the animals you received had yielded their own offspring and that you can invite me for a ‘pulutan’ session,” Gov. Bulut said in Apayao vernacular.
Also as an aficionado and owner of small and large ruminants, Governor Bulut foretold the good future of these graduates if they will pursue and apply the knowledge they acquired. He admonished all who were present that there is a necessity not to lose hope in life. “If we accept that there is no hope in the things we do, then surely indeed, we are hopeless,” he stressed.
The graduates came mostly from the Municipality of Luna and with one graduate each from Flora and Calanasan, Apayao. They painstakingly labored to attend about 22 sessions every morning of Tuesdays which started on June 14 and lasted on December 15, 2016 at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex, Payanan, San Gregorio, Luna, Apayao.
In return, the graduates conveyed their sincere gratitude to the PGA through the leadership of Governor Bulut with the initiative of the Provincial Veterinary (PVet) Office headed by Dr. Ralph Verzon, Provincial Veterinarian.
Mr. Jaime Addongay, one of the graduates who is already 65 years old admitted, he has learned to be more diligent just to keep on track of his animals.
Meanwhile, according to Dr. Verzon, the acceptance from the community is good and that they are thankful that the program is handled directly by the implementing agency and not by politician.
“Our plan and next move as we discussed this with the good governor is to devise a plan on how to market the product of our own animals so that our people will no longer be worried where to sell and in what price,” Dr. Verzon elaborated.
The FLS is a program initiated by the Provincial Government of Apayao (PGA) thru the Provincial Veterinary Office aimed to freely educated and raise awareness on how to raise small ruminants such as goats and sheep in the locality considering the good weather condition and vastness of possible green leafy grasses for foods of these animals.
Dr. Verzon said the schooling of the next batch would possibly be on April or May next year and still be mentored by Ms. Daisy Aman, Mr. Antonio Tadera, Ms. Joan Marero and Ms. Lyra Villanueva of the PVEt Office. Those who are interested are encouraged to inquire at the PVet Office at the PGA.
BY GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN