BAGUIO CITY – Cordilleran entrepreneurs gathered at the Igorot Park to showcase their products in celebration of the National Livestock and Poultry Month Celebration and Kadiwa ng Pangulo, this Wednesday, November 6.
The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) KADIWA marketing campaign, which is an initiative of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., aims to give consumers access to high-quality, reasonably priced goods and commodities while also making it easier for farmers, fishermen, and microenterprises to reach the market.
Among these stalls is the display of Talete Agripreneurs Livegiving Association focused on beekeeping.
“Ang beekeeping kasi is indemand sa abroad kaya yun ang parang nagiging motivation ng karamihan para magtraining, meron naman yung iba po na ineencourage tayo na magstay dito sa local para makapag-educate sa ibang tao kung ano ang importance ng beekeeping o honey bees sa atin,” Charles Basilio of the Talete Agripreneurs Livegiving Association stressed.
Moreover, Basilio notes that beekeeping is a unique industry but nonetheless, city government offices find ways to support them, such as the veterinary office since honeybees are considered as livestock. Aside from honey, honey soaps, honey wines, honey vinegars can also be produced from beekeeping.
Another beekeeping display was presented by Mr. Jeackson of the Badihoy Honey Beekepers Association Inc. who started beekeeping during the pandemic.
“Stress reliever din kasi ang pag-aalaga ng bubuyog. Akala ko po noong una, madali lang mag-a;aga, pero pag tumagal pala, marami palang process, yung mga maintenance, gaya ngayon na typhoon season,” Jeackson shared.
Rodessa Dangpa, owner of the OCD Rabbitry, on the other hand, came to the fair with livestock of different breeds of chicken and rabbits.
“Backyard farming na yung umuuso dito kasi kapag walang ulam, pwede rin natin ulamin, tsaka patok din sa mga bisita, kasi yung mga galing sa baba, pag may nakikita silang bagong breed ng manok o kaya’y rabbit, bumibili rin naman sila,” Dangpa explained.
Dangpa further shared that their rabbit journey started with the city veterinary office offering a starting kit of rabbits to farmers due to the restriction of pig keeping in Baguio. Moreover, the rabbit meat is claimed to be the healthiest meat as it is rich in protein. Rabbit meat can be cooked in different ways, producing dishes like lechon rabbit, adobong rabbit, and fried rabbit.
Various stalls offering different vegetables, fruits, and rice were likewise present. Earlier that morning, 200 sacks of rice priced at 29 Philippine pesos per kilogram were also exclusively sold to Baguio City residents who identify as senior citizens, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, or persons with disabilities (PWDs). Each individual can buy a maximum of 10 kilograms and consumers are advised to bring their solo parent’s ID, senior citizen ID, PWD ID or 4Ps ID.
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo will run from November 6 to 8. By Heleina Taeza and Rachelle Quilling
