Pilmico provides care for nearly 11,000 animals in Taal
The Aboitiz Group subsidiary Pilmico Foods Corporation has come to the aid of a total of 10,985 animals left in areas affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano. Pilmico assisted in retrieval efforts and donated animal feeds.
Last January 16, Pilmico together with the Batangas Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), animal welfare and private organizations, local veterinarians and the media, rescued 1,817 hogs (which include sows, boars, and piglets), 6,512 poultry animals (chickens, ducks, turkeys), 2,153 dogs, and 503 cats that needed immediate care from Barangays San Sebastian, Looc, Sampaloc, and Poblacion in Balete, Batangas.
These animals were left after the lockdown and evacuation of affected towns around the volcano made it difficult for animal owners to return to their livestock.
Dr. George Miranda, Pilmico Animal Health Territory Business Manager, and his team provided first aid by checking on and feeding the affected animals, and even administering medicines if needed.
“I feel inspired knowing that we can use our expertise in the field to help others. It adds another layer to being a Partner for Growth — not just to our customers — but it also reflects how we take to heart the welfare of the animals affected by the eruption,” Dr. Miranda said.
Alongside this, Pilmico also donated to four barangays 42 bags of swine feeds, 10 bags of poultry feeds, multivitamins, anti-stress medicine, and antibiotics for the animals affected. The remaining feeds and medicine will be reserved for another run of rescue and outreach operations in other affected areas in Batangas.
‘We fully give our support to operations and programs such as these that enable us to live out our promise of being a Partner for Growth to backyard farmers. Hopefully, through our efforts with the local government, we empower the farmers that were affected to keep going, knowing that there are companies and organizations that they can rely on in trying times,” said Norie Bermudez, Pilmico First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer – Feeds.
Pilmico is closely working with the local PVO in case further assistance is needed.
