CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture has recently turned over a P5.5 million swine production facility to the members of the Malalao Farmers Multipurpose Organization (MFMO) in barangay Malalao in Tabuk City.
DA Cordillera regional technical director for research Arlene Sagayo led the turn over of the facility which was funded under DA’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program.
The structure is designed for 300 heads of hybrid swine, and equipped with feeders, cooling pads, nipple drinkers, exhaust fans, biogas module, and a stock room.
This is the first modern swine production facility inaugurated in the province this year, Sagayo said.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to sustain the facility, and to produce quality swine to enable them to secure accreditation on Good Animal Husbandry Practices to expand their livelihood.
Malalao barangay captain, and MFMO vice president Efren Bangcoleng expressed gratitude to the government for this project, which he is confident will hasten recovery of hog raisers in their area affected by the recent African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak. It will also improve the swine industry of the city.
Tabuk City was placed under a state of emergency due to an outbreak of the disease during the last quarter of last year.
For security and protection, Bancoleng said their organization will fence the site, and provide at least two workers to manage the facility, as its counterpart.
Sagayo informed other similar projects are ongoing in the municipalities of Balbalan, Lubuagan, Rizal and another in Brgy. Cudal in Tabuk.
The Alliance of Tribes for Oneness in Development Credit Cooperative (ATODCC) recently started the construction of a P10M project under the INSPIRE program in Barangay Nambaran, here. (JDP/LL-PIA Kalinga)
