Negros Occidental has launched a significant initiative to enhance its balut production, investing PHP2 million in a project aimed at former rebels and farmers. The project was officially handed over by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the provincial capitol in Bacolod City on February 14, 2025. The initiative, known as the Itik-Pinas Raising for Balut and Salted Egg Project, is designed to address the province’s monthly balut shortage, which stands at about 700,000 pieces. The project is funded through the 2024 Peace and Order Fund and managed by the Provincial Veterinary Office.
The governor highlighted the impact of the bird flu scare, which led to a ban on balut imports from other provinces, exacerbating the local shortage. Currently, Negros Occidental produces only 250,000 pieces of balut per month against a demand of nearly one million. The project aims to bridge this gap by supporting ten beneficiary groups, including former rebel chapters now known as Kapatiran, and various farmers’ associations across the province.
The Kapatiran groups, which have transformed following a peace agreement with the national government, include chapters from San Carlos City, Cadiz City, Kabankalan City, and Cauayan town. Other beneficiaries include the Madaha Handweavers Association, Cunalom, Maliko-liko, Lunou Farmers Association, Camingawan Diversified Workers Association, Mambaroto Organic Farmers Association, Inayawan Itik Farm Association, and Canlubang Farmers Cluster Association.
The Itik-Pinas Project provides each beneficiary with 100 breeder ducks, one incubator unit capable of holding 250 eggs, and 12 bags of duck feed. In total, the project includes 1,000 ducklings, 10 incubators, and 127 bags of feed.
Additionally, Governor Lacson, alongside Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, provided PHP342,000 in financial assistance to 21 volunteers from the Sentrong Alyansa ng Mamamayan Para sa Bayan (Sambayanan) Negros, an organization of former rebels promoting peace and development. These volunteers are part of the province’s ‘Balik Salig Program,’ which supports community development efforts with the help of the Philippine Army and the Provincial Planning and Development Office.