Some livestock raisers in Antique recently received livelihood assistance from the government, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

Around 20 cattle raisers belonging to the Pangpang Market Vendors and Livestock Raisers Association were provided in P797,760 livelihood assistance.

With the livelihood aid handed over by the Labor department, the local cattle raisers are expected to get a 10-percent increase in their income.

Aside from the cattle raisers, six market vendors and 10 beneficiaries engaged in swine fattening also received the DOLE assistance. The aid also supported 14 other members of the association who are into various food businesses.

DOLE Regional Director Cyril Ticao, who turned over the assistance early this week, said the “livelihood assistance was aimed to boost the beneficiaries’ income by 10 percent.”

“It was also meant to generate additional self-employment opportunities in the community to help hard-hit residents cope with the global health crisis,” Ticao added.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, on the other hand, lauded the beneficiaries’ strong will to fight the pandemic, stressing that “despite the odds, you chose to stay up instead of surrendering to the deadly virus.”

Bello rallied members of the group to remain vigilant against the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by following the safety and health protocols being imposed by the government.

“Yes, defeating the COVID-19 is a tall order but together we can slowly but surely stop it from winning the battle,” the Labor chief added.

Bello also noted that amid the pandemic, the business of “fattening the cattle” is making progress in the backyards of some micro entrepreneurs in Sibalom, Antique.

Fattening cattle in the backyard is about buying young healthy stocks, feeding them properly and selling them at the proper time.