BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Thirty-three former rebels in the 5th district of Negros Occidental have ventured into native chicken production, supporting the livestock program thrust of the provincial government in food security.
The KAPATIRAN Farm Workers Association (KAFAWA) is composed of the 33 former rebels from La Castellana, Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, Himamaylan City and Isabela, who will be launching the “Sabor Layaw” lechon manok station on September 8 at Purok Pine Tree in Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City, which will be attended by regional officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and Abang Lingkod party list Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, among others.
Project manager Ricky Guzon said that raising of native chickens by KAPATIRAN members, formerly known as the defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army Alex Boncayao Brigade, started five years ago.
With additional funds from the OPAPRU and Department of Social Welfare and Development, Guzon said the group decide to venture into lechon manok business, using “free range native chicken” which they are raising.
Following decommissioning of RPA-ABB combatants almost five years ago, the government, through OPAPRU gave P50,000 livelihood assistance to each of the former rebels, with an additional P25,000 under the Livelihood Reinforcement Fund, which Guzon said their group invested to the establish the first Sabor Layaw lechon manok station in Bacolod City.
He said their group is very enthusiastic in the project, since they are pioneer in the implementation of such business.
Guzon admitted that it is very challenging for them to transform themselves to the business discipline from the culture of armed violence. But I hope this will be a success story in the future, he added, as the former rebel leader also bared plans to put up another lechon manok station within the next two months.
While they have a small native chicken farm in the 5th district of Negros Occidental, Guzon said they are also buying native chickens to meet the demand for native chicken lechon.
The price of regular sized native chicken lechon manok is P395 and P430 for jumbo sizes.
Guzon said they are also selling native dressed chicken and eggs.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental extended chicks, incubator, veterinary assistance and marketing to KAPATIRAN members.*
