BANGUED, Abra – Three farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Bangued, Abra, launched the construction of swine biosecure housing facility under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) project of the Department of Agriculture on February 14, 2024.
The Cosili West Bangued Abra FA, INC. and Lubong FA received financial grant of PhP5 million each, while AVSECO received PhP10 million. The establishment of a biosecure housing facility includes the parameter fence, climate-controlled animal housing, waste management, office and shower area, with a minimum land area 2,000 square meters for the 10 million peso-worth that can house 300 pigs while 1,000 square meters for the five million peso-worth project that can house 100 pigs.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by the personnel from the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture represented by Dr. Rosemarie B. Tesoro, APCO-Abra, Jesusa Delilah Guzman, INSPIRE Abra team leader and Engr. Lun Lenon Sukil-ap, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, Provincial Veterinary staff led by Dr. Jomarh Zales, local government representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Bangued, Marites Balling and Princess Terneo, municipal livestock coordinators, Engr. Edmon Vasques, Manager-AVSECO, barangay officials of Cosili West led by Honorable Romero Adona and barangay Lubong officials led by Chairperson Filomeno Gonzalez with the FCA members.
During the ceremony Guzman reiterated the roles and responsibilities of the concerned parties stipulated in the memorandum of agreement which includes the shouldering of water and electricity connection, labor, provision of the access road and maintenance including the licenses, permits and other legal requirement expenses.
“The collaboration between the DA-Region, LGU and FCA-members significantly contributes to the project’s success, benefiting you as beneficiaries of the project, including other local farmers in our province”, said Dr. Tesoro APCO Abra focal person.
On the other hand, a pre-construction meeting was facilitated by Engr. Jun Lenon Sukil-ap of RAED while he discussed the important project details to ensure the smooth and successful construction process. The meeting was attended by Engr. Herby Pastor Pacleb, contractor of Cosili West Bangued Abra FA, INC. and Lubong FA, PVO, local government representatives together with the FCA members.
Said INSPIRE project of the DA is the calibrated repopulation and enhancement of local swine industry to recover the sector’s capacity to locally produce sufficient hog supply of hogs and pork. By Adelma Reparejo