Taiheiyo’s goat-raising project yields 84 offspring

A GOAT-RAISING livelihood project initiated by Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. and materials supplier Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) four years ago in the hinterland barangay of Bugho in San Fernando town, southern Cebu has yielded 84 offspring and 12 new beneficiaries.

Twelve of the offspring were turned over to each of the new beneficiaries, while the 27 were sold and the remaining 45 were kept for breeding.

Ester Cola, assisted by Taiheiyo-SEDC community relations officers Gines Boltron and Efren Labrado, turned over the goats to the beneficiaries in a simple ceremony recently.

Cola, Taiheiyo manager for human resource, encouraged the beneficiaries to sustain the project to benefit more residents in San Fernando.

Pursued under the two companies’ joint Social Development Management Program, the goat-raising project started on July 15, 2009 with only 10 beneficiaries. The beneficiaries were given 10 does (female goat) and two bucks (male goat) for breeding.

After the goats gave birth, the beneficiaries returned the first two offspring of their respective goat to the organization for distribution to new members.