Sibulan, Negros Oriental– As part of its drive to respond to the livelihood needs of kaigsuonans in Negros Oriental and Siquijor, Pilmico– the food subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.– accelerated its sustainable livelihood and backyard farming initiatives through the donation of piglets and “egg machines”.
The turnover ceremony took place last October 9 at Pilmico’s Mahalin Pagkaing Atin Food and Livelihood Expo, held at the Sibulan Multi-Purpose Building. During the ceremony, 10 piglets and six egg machines were turned over to 11 pre-screened beneficiaries.
These piglets and egg machines– with each egg machine consisting of a complete kit of pens containing 48 six-month-old ready-to-lay hens and rearing cages with built-in feeding trough, waterer, and one month’s worth of feeds– will enable local farmers to sustain their livelihood through an easy-to-manage business that has a quick-return on investment; all while facing the threats of poverty, tragedy, or conflict.
These donations are part of Pilmico’s Mahalin Pagkaing Atin program, a campaign introduced in mid-2014 that aims to promote sustainable entrepreneurship through the promotion of local produce. The program also aims to instill a “pride of product, pride of place” mindset for both farmers and local consumers, thus enabling operators to maximize profit without passing through middlemen.
“We in Pilmico have always believed in the potential of the Filipino backyard farmer to be a successful partner for growth when given the right tools. By providing swine and egg machines as a profitable business model, we are investing in the success of our farmer kaigsuonans to sustain an adequate livelihood,” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, Pilmico president and Chief Executive Officer.
Pilmico has donated a total of 736 piglets and 215 egg machines nationwide; as well as assisted in 14 agri-posts where beneficiaries receive feedbags as restart-up capital. At present, 373 families nationwide are benefitting from the said program.
In attendance to the ceremony were Sibulan Municipal Mayor Hon. Emmanuel N. Diputado, OIC of PSWD Negros Oriental Ms. Arsenia S. Cariño, swine nutrition and husbandry speakers Dr. Lemuel Espinazo and Dr. Sheila Ann Billena, various heads of Pilmico sales and marketing, and residents from all over Negros Oriental. A cooking demonstration conducted by various chefs, including celebrity chef Boy Logro, also took place during the event. (Lurlyn Mae Carmona, SU Masscom Intern)
