Laoag City-- a bid to further decrease its poverty rate, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) distributed a total of 338 cattle among Ilocano farmers within the first quarter of the year.
In 2010, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos established the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Office to conform to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) MDGs. It was later renamed to Sustainable Development Center (SDC) in 2015.
The PGIN patterned and localized the SD goals set by the UNDP in ending poverty likewise fighting inequity and injustices tailored for the province.
Likewise, SDC head Edwin Cariño stressed that the provincial government has been very attentive to the needs and requests of its constituents.
“It is just one of the programs that reduced poverty. Together with other immediate programs, itong cattle dispersal program ay sumusuporta sa mga indigent residents natin na kailangan ng additional income. Halimbawa, yung karpintero kayang magtrabaho habang nag-aalaga ng baka kasi di naman full-time ang pag-aalaga nito,” he noted.
The PGIN, through Provincial Veterinary Office, also distributes other animals such as pigs, goats, ducks, and chicks.
According to Mr. Cariño, the number of cattle to be distributed is based on the requests of the residents, and clarifies that the animals were direct procurement of the Provincial Government.
“After naming maibigay ang mga cattle sa mganag-request, hihintayin natin yung ibabalik nilang offspring para ibigay naman natin sa next batch of beneficiaries,” he added.
Ilocos Norte drastically decreased its poverty rate from 24% in 2010 to 8.4% in 2015. Meanwhile, in 2013, the province was recognized as one of the least poor as well as the few provinces in the Philippines that successfully hit the MDGs. (Blessing Angel Agliam)