CdeO hog raisers are seen to benefit from the INSPIRE program of DA-10. 

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Backyard hog raisers in sitio Tuburan of barangay Lumbia and other nearby localities here are seen to benefit from the P10-million (M) Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

On August 30, the agri department led by Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga together with the benefitting local government of CdeO through Acting City Administrator Atty. Roy Hilario P. Raagas along with Perla T. Asis, city veterinarian, and its department heads, led the groundbreaking for the construction of the almost P6-M biosecured swine facility in said sitio.

DA-10 Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc explained that the infrastructure is one of the components of the INSPIRE program, and is now being implemented in the area, following the grant of sentinel pigs to help the city bounce back in repopulating and upgrading the local swine industry in its bid to produce sufficient supply of hogs and pork.

It can be recalled that CdeO was first hit by African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease of pigs early in the year 2021.

“Dili siya usual nga tangkal lang nga inyong adtuan, apan kini na facility naa gyud siya’y disinfection, maligo gyud ta kay dili kapataka og sulod ang mga tawo, ug kung maka relate mo sa commercial farms, gi adopt ang iyang biosecurity measures.” Docdoc detailed.

Besides the soon-to-rise facility, the package of interventions under INSPIRE is composed of 300 head of piglets as initial stock (P2.55-M), 550 bags of feed (1.375-M), and drugs and biologics (P75K).

RTD Madriaga is pinning her hopes that said project will provide help to the people, especially the affected backyard hog raisers.

She added, “We are ensuring that the LGU will manage and operate the facility to safeguard its sustainability.”

The director furthered the importance of the city’s availment of assistance through DA’s National Livestock Program, as the region is one of the top swine producers across the country.

Per PSA report released last August 22, NorMin’s volume of hog production from April to June 2023 is recorded at 50.98K metric tons (liveweight).

On behalf of CdeO City Mayor Rolando A. Uy, Atty. Raagas lauded the national government’s support through DA as it also aligns with the city’s “Rise” framework which highlights metropolization as key for economic recovery.

“Mautro ang dagway sa atong resource mobilization sa atong nasud, akip na sa atong dakbayan. Ang dako na pahat didto nato itutok sa economic productivity apil na, ilabina ang agricultural production,” the official articulated.

Said community-based swine production facility is just one among the seven funded by DA-10 for the current year.

Also supporting the groundbreaking rite is DA-10 Provincial Operations Center chief for Misamis Oriental Wilson V. Lagdamin, Tuburan local officials and residents, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).# (JLO)