‘Babaeng May Itlog’ continues to support women in Dinagat Islands
By Renelle Luzon Escuadro
DINAGAT ISLANDS (PIA) — More women’s associations in the Province of Dinagat Islands received the ready-to-lay (RTL) chickens for their egg-production livelihood project under the program on ‘Babaeng May Itlog’ spearheaded by the provincial government of Dinagat Islands.
Through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET), the women-members of the Barangay Helene Women’s Association and Barangay Liberty Women’s Association respectively accepted the 300 RTL chickens from the provincial government during the recent ceremonial turnover in Brgy. Liberty to the province’s Loreto town.
Dr. Aimee A. Jimeno, chief of PVET, said, “Supported by the Gender and Development (GAD) Fund, the Babaeng May Itlog is an initiative of the provincial government that seeks to empower women in the province to be productive through livelihood for them to contribute in countryside development. This program also served as a food security measure and nutritional action in the province.”
“Ang mga partisipante muagi ug seminar og training mahitungod sa pamaagi sa pag-atiman ug pagpanalipod sa mga manok aron mapalambo ang ilang egg production, sama sa paghatag og hustong pagkaon, tubig, lugar, ug ang pag-atiman sa kahimsog sa mga ready-to-lay nga mga manok. Ang maayo nga pagdumala sa manok makatabang sa pagkab-ot sa taas nga produksyon ug kita ug aron molahotay ang ilang proyekto,” Dr. Jimeno added.
(The participants undergo seminar and training on how to take care of the ready-to-lay chickens to make their egg production grow such as food, water, location, nutrition and health of these poultry animals. The right management of these chickens will give them high income return to make their business sustainable).
She also shared that the members of the associations also underwent financial coaching as facilitated by the Provincial Community Affairs Office for them to understand the importance of proper business management, including the handling of their finances and daily operation, including the assessment of their needs and help them set goals to succeed and grow their business.
Also, Minda Balasag, president of the Cayetano Women’s Organization, expressed gratitude for the livelihood support from the provincial government to the women in the province.
“The Babeng May Itlog changed our mindset from housekeeping to entrepreneurship. This provided us an opportunity to earn and contribute to the daily needs of our families and be an inspiration to the communities,” Balasag said as she encouraged the members of the association to take good care of the livelihood project entrusted to them.
More than livelihood, the program on Babaeng May Itlog, also sees the inclusive and pivotal role of women in achieving the long-term goal on food security in the province, as well as addressing inflation and poverty.
Meanwhile, ready-to-lay chickens, also known as a pullet, are female chickens typically between 18 and 20 weeks old that have reached maturity and are ready to begin laying eggs. With the advent of science and technology in poultry farming, RTL chickens have developed the necessary features to transition them to the laying facility and produce eggs whether in a cage-type, cage-free or free range environment. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)
