KITAOTAO, Bukidnon (PIA) — To modernize and enhance the capacity of the swine industry in Kitaotao town, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) recently turned over a P5.2 million bio-secured and climate-controlled swine production facility to the Sinuda Multi-Indigenous Sectoral Farmers and Workers Association (SIMUSOFAWA).
DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan and Farmer-Director Nilda Salas handed the turnover certificate to SIMUSOFAWA Chairperson Datu Domino Pangcat, marking the facility’s transfer of ownership and operation.
The 2,000-square-meter bio-secured swine facility, costing P3,827,241.08, features a perimeter fence, an office, climate-controlled animal housing, a biogas waste management system, core farm equipment, and a shower area.
The components include feeds, a hog scale, animal stocks, and drugs and biologics, totaling P1.45 million.
According to Livestock Focal Person Jamaica Docdoc, the said project is part of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program of the DA, designed to enhance biosecurity and disease control measures in the community while simultaneously supporting the repopulation and growth of Northern Mindanao’s swine industry.
Pacamalan also emphasized the importance of quality breeds of swine in ensuring overall productivity and proper implementation of this project.
Datu Pangcat thanked the Agriculture Department for the support.
“Nagpasalamat ko sa DA sa paghatag ini nga proyekto. Makatabang gyud ni sa among panginabuhi-an ug makadugang sa among kita. Sa pagkakaron, maniguro mi nga maka-apil sa training aron molambo ug mo-asenso ang kinabuhi sa matag miyembro sa among kapunungan,” he said.
(We sincerely thank the DA for this project. It will boost our earnings and livelihoods. We are fully committed to the training, ensuring the project’s success and a better quality of life for all our members.)
The association, which has been operating for five years with 200 members, includes a majority of 70 percent from the Matigsalog tribe.
This modernized swine production facility aligns with DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.’s priority agenda to enhance the country’s agricultural production system.
Present at the activity were DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center Chief Janet Lopez and Program and Project Management Section Chief Engr. Romil Española. Among those present were Kitaotao municipal agriculturist Beaulah Grace Rafisura, Vice Mayor Marry Ann Angit, SB Committee Chair on Agriculture Eduardo Beltran, Bukidnon Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council Chair Jaime Go, and members of the Regional AFC Honorio Cervantes and Floro Dalapag. Engr. Alvin Obrique represented Mayor Edwin P. Abucayan. (DA-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)
