September 23, 2026 — The Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office–Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFO-CAR), together with the Municipal Government of Itogon led by Mayor Bernard S. Waclin, turned over 98 goats to the Itogon Integrated Organic Farmers Association (IIOFA) at the Loakan Airport in Baguio City on Monday, September 21.
IIOFA is a qualified beneficiary group under the DA’s Organic Agriculture Livelihood Project (OALP), a program that supports organic farmers through livelihood assistance and helps integrate farm production with services, processing, and marketing. Under the project, qualified farmers’ organizations may receive livelihood inputs, including livestock, to strengthen their organic farming enterprises and generate additional income.
The assistance amounting to P1.6 million was funded through the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP).
Municipal Agriculturist Berto O. Bayeng said the assistance was made possible through a proposal initiated by IIOFA and endorsed by the Municipal Agriculture Office to the Provincial Agriculture Office. The proposal was subsequently approved by the DA-RFO-CAR.
Bayeng explained that while the livestock assistance is a grant, IIOFA members agreed to adopt an internal arrangement where a portion of the benefits received by each member will be returned to the association.
This will allow the assistance to serve as a revolving capital, enabling other members to access livelihood opportunities and ensuring that the benefits of the project continue to reach more association members.
He said IIOFA chose goats because they are relatively easy to manage and can provide meat as an additional source of income. Their manure can also be utilized as organic fertilizer for members’ crops, supporting the association’s organic farming practices.
The turnover was attended by Itogon Organic Agriculture Focal Person Merly L. Dalisay, Veterinarian I Dr. Eliza Jane C. Cuilan, and the IIOFA beneficiaries.
Mayor Waclin commended the Itogon Agriculture Office for assisting IIOFA in accessing the OALP and expressed appreciation to the DA-RFO-CAR for approving the association’s proposal. He also encouraged the beneficiaries to properly manage and take good care of the livestock to ensure the sustainability of the livelihood assistance.
Through the initiative, the Municipal Government of Itogon continues to support local farmers’ organizations in strengthening their livelihood opportunities and promoting organic agriculture in the municipality. // Capsula; Padcayan : GIP
