BONTOC, Mountain Province – To help alleviate the living condition of marginalized families in the province and in support to the Anti-Poverty and Hunger Mitigation Program of the national government, the provincial government here allotted funds for various livelihood projects.

Based on the la-test report on the Provincial Livelihood Project and Employment Opportunities, 36 organizations/associations are successfully implementing their projects.

The provincial government allotted a total amount of P743,219.20 for the implementation of the project in 2007 and 2008. It has funded 12 associations that engaged in hog raising; 11 in goat raising; four in cattle raising; four in duck raising; and two in vegetable production.

Other livelihood projects also funded include the procurement of a sewing machine for the Balangao Women Organization of Balangao, Natonin, and procurement of agricultural implements production for the Association of Bekigan Blacksmithers in Sadanga.

Evelyn Payacda, community organizer of the provinical government, said that since not all members of the organizations benefited during the dispersal of the animals, a re-dispersal scheme shall be done by the organizations to the other members to also have access to the program.

Payacda said there are already eight goats, 18 pigs, and 163 pullets that were re-dispersed to 58 households. In all, there are already 412 households benefiting from the program.

She said that this livelihood assistance is a grant given by the provincial government to ensure the program’s success and sustainability.