PROVINCIAL leaders here turned over new Barangay Livestock Aides (BALA) kits to 1300 livestock volunteers as the province celebrated its annual BALA Congress and Governor Aumentado Horse Show Cup July 29, 2009 at the CPG Sports Complex here.
“This is simply our way of thanking the BALAS for their commitment and support for Bohol’s livestock industry, said Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera a few minutes after the turn over of the kits.
The kit includes a belt bag, surgical needles, scissors, surgical blades and forceps and a custom printed t-shirt for the volunteers.
In a province, which lacks livestock technicians and veterinarians, Bohol through the OPV launched the BALA to make available at least a ”quasi-livestock technician” in each of the barangays, says Provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz.
BALA then became an innovative “animal paramedics” and livestock support group working as force multipliers for clearly undermanned Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, explains Dr.Lapiz.
The PVET simply cascades livestock technology trainings to these volunteers in the barangays and they in turn disseminate the information to every livestock grower in the province, she said.
Previously skeptic barangay residents are now eager to raise their own backyard piggery and poultry farms as they are certain that a “livestock doctor” is available for assistance, OPV sources reveal.
Since the implementation of the program, there has been a marked increase in the number of households engaged in livestock rearing, they add.
Now networked for more services especially in extending technical help to major livestock dispersal projects here, Bohol’s award winning BALAs play so much for the success of the Lets Help Bohol Programs 1 and 2 and the Livelihood Integration for Family and Food Enhancement program (LIFFE).
Trained but provided with little equipment for the job, the Provincial Government deemed it necessary to pay them back with the big thing they have done for Bohol.
According to Governor Erico Aumentado, Bohol livestock industry has grown so much that it has become a reliable supplier of beef and pork for the region at 44%.
At the BALA Congress, volunteers and project beneficiary organizations witnessed the Rodeo and farm events competed by teams from Inabanga, Catigbian, Mabini and Ubay cowboys. (PIA)
GRATITUDE for the invaluable services of the BALAS were shown Wednesday when Provincial Officials and the Boholanos abroad gave kits to livestock volunteers during the annual congress at the CPG Sports Complex. (PIA)
