VILLAVICIOSA, Abra – A multipurpose cooperative here, received a P5.5-million worth of project under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (Inspire) program of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera.
The project composed of newly-constructed pig pens, livestock and grower feeds were officially handed to the Tamac Multipurpose Cooperative on Oct. 12, in the far-flung Barangay of Tamac, a three- hour travel from the capital town of Bangued.
DA-CAR Chief of Agricultural Engineering Division Salvador Filemon, DA-CAR Regulations Chief Ruben Dulagan, Provincial Veterinarian Jomar Sales, Villaviciosa Mayor Jose Lagen Jr. and Vice Mayor Marjorie Lagen led the turnover ceremony.
Abra Agriculture Program Coordinating Officer Rosemarie Tesoro said the P4.9M total fund for the project was used for the construction of pig pens while about P600,000 was used for the procurement of livestock and grower feeds.
Tamac Multipurpose Cooperative president Margarita Agyapas expressed gratitude to the program implementers for pushing through the project despite the distant location.
“Ti sibubukel nga coop ti Tamac, agyaman kami unay ta uray adayo ditoy lugarmi, naanos kayo nga immay nangidanun daytoy nga project ingga ti pannakaleppasna,” she said.
Lagen encouraged the beneficiaries to manage the project earnestly.
“This is not just a project but a symbol of love and care from the government for you in the remote places. So, I remind you to manage this also out of love so that it will succeed,” Lagen said.
“We hope na magkakaroon na kayo ng enough na supply ng karne dito at ma-stabilize ang presyo nito dahil ‘yon ang isa sa mga goal ng Inspire program ng DA,” he added.
The Inspire program focuses on rehabilitation efforts from African swine fever effects through swine repopulation and establishments of swine farms and facilities. – Christian Tubadeza
