BAGUIO CITY – Department of Agriculture–Cordillera (DA-CAR) turned over four specialized hauling vehicles for hogs, 14 meat processing equipment, 10 cold storages, and nine hog feeders to 10 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) which are beneficiaries of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) project at the Dairy Farm, Dontogan, Baguio City on December 27, 2024. The turned over hauling truck, machinery and equipment costs PhP19,520,500.
Four hauling trucks amounting to PhP13,280,000 were turned over to Abra Diocesan and Employees Multipurpose Cooperative of Abra, Tobano Omang Livelihood Project Organization in Atok Benguet, Balili Backyard Hog Fattening Association of Mankayan and Dumap-ay Farmers Association of Alab, Bontoc, Mountain Province. Although the trucks were entrusted to the abovementioned organizations, other organizations belonging to the cluster groups can also request for the use of these.
In addition, meat processing equipment amounting to PhP2,963,000 and cold storage amounting to PhP2,275,000.00 were also turned over to Sagubo Multipurpose Cooperative, Taloy Sur Integrated Farming Producers’ Association, Bakir Vegetable and Corn Farmers Association, Tadian Farmers and Fisherfolks and Irrigators Association, Dumap-ay Farmers Incorporated and Abra Mountain Cooperative.
Nine hog feeders amounting to PhP106,155 were also given to the Kapangan Overseas Filipino Worker Returnee’s Organization.
“Our activity today is not only for the turn-over of these machineries and other equipment but also to show our partnership,” Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo said during the ceremony. “Our dream is to strengthen the livestock industry in the Cordillera, let us sustain the supply of swine in our region because that is one of the purposes of the INSPIRE project.
Dr. Kevin Jim Luna also shared the purpose of the INSPIRE project that started in 2022. “Although for us in CAR, the implementation of INSPIRE projects ended in 2023, but we are evaluating all the current projects so that we can propose for additional support the post-harvest operations,” he said.
“We are very happy for your testimonies and we are glad because the Department of Agriculture did a very good job in selecting you as qualified beneficiaries that can sustain the INSPIRE project,” Marlyn Tejero, the Regulatory Chief said during her closing remarks. “We hope that the projects that were turned over will be operated and aligned to its purpose,” she added.
Other key officials who supported the turn-over ceremony were Dr. Rodel Bagawi from Mountain Province Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), Roger Bengwasan from PVO Benguet, Dr. Leisley Deligen Supervising Agriculturist of the Regulatory Division and Cirilo Batan from APCO, Benguet. By Tan Dulag
