DUMANJUG, Cebu – Spouses Aisha and Bryan Castillo are now pioneering the use of modernized poultry farming in Cebu with the recent construction of their single-deck tunnel ventilated poultry house, financed through the assistance of Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK).
Construction of the poultry house started in 2019, which boasts of a multi-level colony type caging system with a capacity of 840,000 birds per year, significantly boosting the quality and productivity of the couple’s contract growing business.
The facility also features advanced components, such as a mechanized rationing of feeds, a climate control system, and a prime colony cage system, among others.
“LANDBANK guided us every step of the way when we were applying for loan assistance. Slowly but surely, the project eventually came to fruition,” said Mr. Castillo, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration major in Management.
With their enhanced production capacity and high-quality products, the Castillos were contracted to provide goods for San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) when they were just starting in 2019. Now, they serve as an integrator for SMFI and contract growers for Bounty Fresh Food, Inc.
“We are honored to be of service to trailblazers like the Castillo family. We believe that their investment to innovate can be a model for other poultry farms in the country, which in turn can contribute to our nation’s overall food security,” said LANDBANK Cebu North Lending Center Head Vice President Eulalio G. Lagpa, Jr.
Rising above the pandemic
However, just like other small and medium enterprises, the Castillos struggled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and were forced to brave uncharted territory during the first few months of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
“I have never seen Cebu having this low demand for chicken, which is at its lowest as an effect of businesses closing and the transportation ban,” said Mr. Castillo.
Fortunately, LANDBANK granted the spouses a one-time 60-day moratorium for their outstanding loan as part of the provisions under Republic Act No. 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,” designed to help clients like them cope with the impact of the pandemic.
“I am so grateful for the adjustments in loan payment that LANDBANK extended to us. Rest assured that LANDBANK will be the first to know when we decide to expand our business because of the support and encouragement that we’ve been getting from them,” Mr. Castillo added.
As of September 30, 2020, LANDBANK has extended P146.41 billion in outstanding loans to small, medium, and large agribusiness enterprises. This includes P35.63 billion for livestock projects with P13.41 billion specifically for the poultry industry.
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