TUGUEGARAO CITY September 13)—With a total of P11 million swine repopulation grant from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), two multipurpose cooperatives started constructing biosecured facilities in Isabela to revive the swine industry.
Dr. Ferdinand Cortez, DA Region 2 public relations officer and broadcast unit head, said Wesley Savings Multipurpose Cooperative and Liga ng mga Barangay ng Isabela Multipurpose Cooperative received P5.5 million each from the DA Region 2.
Cortez said after receiving the grant, the cooperatives broke ground and started building the bio-secured facilities in Garit Norte and Libertad, Echague, Isabela on September 9 after receiving the grant.
DA Region 2 Executive Director Narciso Edillo said this is a significant event, as the long sought-after repopulation they aspired for to revive the swine industry felled by the African swine fever is now in its infrastructure phase.
“Let us unite to attain common goals,” Edillo said during a program at Akyranch Banchetto 2, San Fabian in Echague town.
Cortez said the grant is part of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion program.
“Under this program, P400 million was rolled out for the repopulation of hogs in the country to mitigate the impact of the African swine fever,” he added.
According to Edillo, the DA met in August with officers and members of eight farmers, cooperatives and associations, who were qualified for the P5.5 million each or a total of P44 million grant intended for swine repopulation in the Cagayan Valley region.
These were the Bayaning Magsasaka Damayan Villaverde Association, Mabitbitnong Swisa, Liga ng mga Barangay ng Isabela Multipurpose Cooperative, Claveria Poultry Raisers Association, Northern Luzon Multi-purpose Cooperative, Progreso Farmers Association, Wesley Savings and Multipurpose Cooperative, and Northern Tumauini Cereal and Dairy Farmers Cooperative. LCD