Above are images of the native, free-range chickens that the Innovative Family Enterprise Development, IFED, Project has delivered to my hometown of Asingan in Eastern Pangasinan. The batch will be distributed to 30 family women entrepreneurs after training. The IFED Project is led by Jovita M Datuin, DVM, OIC Regional Technical Director for Research & Regulations of Region 1, Department of Agriculture, DA. This follows the Memorandum of Agreement signed between Asingan Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr, DA Region 1 officials, and farmer member-beneficiaries of the Nagkaisa Multipurpose Cooperative of the town, last February (ECV, “Asingan Coop Gets
According to ECV, Asingan is the very first recipient town and therefore the model of IFED in the 6th District of Pangasinan. “Free-range chickens” means they are free to roam within the confines of the area where they are raised and feed only on vegetation such as grasses and other natural foods such as insects and worms. That is what makes them cost-effective to raise, says Miss Jovita. No antibiotics are given. With improved housing, feeding, and health management, she says we can expect each bird to lay 200 eggs a year, instead of only 60[2].
The above images are in the Facebook post of Miss Jovy, and here is the exchange of comments:
Frank A Hilario:Finally, simmangpet ti native idiay asingan! (Finally, the native has come home to Asingan!)
Jovita Datuin: Frank A Hilario, Sir Frank, this is the project I discussed at Asingan when I met you. I was inspired to meet the outstanding journalist. We have donated half a million pesos to start the innovative family enterprise development project for free-range chickens. Thank you for inspiring us.
“Thank you for inspiring us.” Oh yes, now I can tell you that when Miss Jovy visited Asingan and talked about the project to Nagkaisa members, I mentioned that I was a diehard believer in native PH chickens, and that in 2016 I had edited and produced the book titled Philippine Native Animals, subtitled Source Of Pride & Wealth Worth Conserving & Utilizing,published by the National Swine & Poultry Research & Development Center, which is under the DA. It’s 200 pages of data & information meant to inspire people to raise any of the native PH chickens: Banaba (native of Batangas), Bolinao (Pangasinan), Camarines (Bicol Region), Darag (Western Visayas), Joloano (Jolo), and Paraoakan (Palawan).
Much later, after that talk, with others, Mayor Lopez, Roger Daranciang (Chair of Nagkaisa), and I visited the DA Region 1 office in San Fernando City, and after an exchange of news and information, Regional Director Lucrecio Alviar Jr told us that he was convinced that Nagkaisa would make an ideal coop growing native chickens. Thank you, Miss Jovy and Mr Alviar, for the trust!
And why do many chicken lovers prefer the PH native? They cannot describe the flavor exactly except to agree that the native meat has a “distinct taste.” Me? I just love that it is flavorful and healthful.@517
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