Twenty-five crossbred female buffaloes worth ₱2 million were turned over to a farmers' livelihood association in Barangay San Marcelino on 24 July under a government program aimed at strengthening agricultural livelihoods in the municipality.

Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba led the turnover of the buffaloes to the KASAKA Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA), a 25-member group organized under the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program.

The project was implemented by the Philippine Carabao Center through the 2026 General Appropriations Act's Carabao Herd Build-up Project. Each buffalo is valued at ₱80,000, bringing the total project cost to ₱2 million.

The KASAKA SLPA previously received ₱500,000 in livelihood assistance from the DSWD in October 2025 upon completing the agency's Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Since then, the association has expanded its activities beyond its initial livelihood projects by undergoing skills training, promoting sustainable farming practices, and forging partnerships with government agencies and private organizations.

Its members also completed Organic Agriculture NC II training through the SM Foundation and now market their produce during the SM Weekend Market held every Saturday and Sunday.

According to Barba's office, the buffalo dispersal program aims to boost the income of rural households by supporting livestock-based agriculture while helping develop Dingras as a center for buffalo-based livelihood initiatives.