Visayas Updates

MASIPAG 1st All Leaders Conference
Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental

One of the most historic events in MASIPAG's history was held in the Visayas. The 1st All Leaders Conference, participated by almost 80 strong MASIPAG farmer-leaders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao was held in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last April 27 - 30, 2006. Leaders' reflection and experiences about their personal growth as community leaders was one of the important activities in the conference. The conference was culminated by the ceremonial signing of the MASIPAG leaders' Code of Commitment.

Livestock Management Training
Orong, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental

A training on Livestock Management was conducted last May 23-25, 2006 at BAKAS Training Center, Orong, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. Asst. Professor Jaime Cabarles Jr. from Central Philippine University - College of Agriculture (CPU-CA) in Iloilo, whose specialization is on Animal Science was the resource person of the training. The training aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of members of BAKAS in managing the Gene Pool for Native Chicken. BAKAS is one of the three pilot sites for chicken gene pool in the Visayas. The other two are managed by DASMPC in Alimodian, Iloilo and UMATIPAN in Patnongon, Antique. Inputs on proper cultural management practices and sustainable animal health care including organic feed formulation were learned in the training. Three clusters were identified during the planning session to handle the purification process of native chicken. A localized livestock management manual (in hiligaynon) was developed with the assistance of Prof. Cabarles.