Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte - Following the provision of egg production support by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in 2024, the Association of Farmers and Fisherfolks of Brgy. Sta. Sofia (AFFOBS) finally had their first profit-sharing session this year.
In over a year of operations, the association recorded a gross income of Php 887,353.00, resulting in a net profit of Php 85,956.40. This profit was distributed among its 19 active members during their dividend sharing held last January 27.
“Dako namong pasalamat sa nagdumala sa SAAD nga kami nakabahin og igo'ng kantidad. Daghang nalipay nga kini nakatabang nga makapalit ug among maintenance, ingon man nga nakadugang sa pagbayad sa galastuan sa eskwelahan sa among mga anak, ug ingon man sa pangunsumo namo kada adlaw,” said Mr. Alex Salem, AFFOBS President.
[We are greatly thankful towards the people behind the SAAD Program whose guidance enabled us to acquire enough shares. Most of us are happy that this achievement supports our daily needs, including our medicines and school expenses of our children.]
The association received their initial support from the program on May 19, 2024. This includes 480 ready-to-lay (RTL) chickens and 198 bags of layer feeds, along with other essential inputs such as biologics, multivitamins, and equipment like weighing scales, egg trays, and protective boots. Moreover, they received a supplemental 194 bags layer feed support later in 2025.
To maximize the sustainability of the said livelihood project, the members underwent specialized trainings in layer chicken management and marketing which was also spearheaded by the program itself.
The aforementioned support led them to have a good amount of profit shares and greater opportunities for expanding their livelihood.
“Salamat sa SAAD nga kanunay nag guide sa amoa, uban ang taga Office of the Municipal Agricultural Services (OMAS) sa Padre burgos nga wala mi pasagdi. Mao nga hangtud karon, milahutay mi nga mga miyembro, ug ingon man usab ang maong project,” Mayflor B. Monter, AFFOBS Treasurer expressed.
[We send our thanks to the SAAD Program for always guiding us, along with the Office of the Municipal Agricultural Services (OMAS) of Padre Burgos who never abandoned us. That is the reason why we continue to strive, and so does our project.]
For this year, the farmers association anticipated their production rate to increase as they are about to receive a new set of RTLs to replace their culled flock. ###
Source: Rovelyn Baslan, PPMSO Southern Leyte
Writer: Liza Mae M. Dumaran, Information Officer II