The Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center – Cordillera Administrative Region (ATI-RTC-CAR) in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Mountain Province launched the Construction of Swine AI sa Barangay (SWAIB) Project Housing and Facility. The activity was held at the Provincial Nursery, Otucan Norte, Bauko, Mountain Province last July 7, 2023.
The Swine Artificial Insemination sa Barangay (SWAIB) Project is the first AI center to be implemented in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It is funded thru the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program of the Department of Agriculture – National Livestock Program. The INSPIRE Program aims to gradually repopulate and restore the swine industry in the region which was devastated by the African Swine Fever (ASF) by providing good quality semen.
The total cost of the SWAIB Project is ₱4.70 million with the following components: 10 boars as breeder stocks to be procured and provided by the Agricultural Training Institute – International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH); Farm facilities which include animal housing, laboratory, waste management, biosecurity area and laboratory with a contract cost of ₱3,081,419.60; and Artificial Insemination and laboratory equipment which will be procured and provided by the ATI-ITCPH.
The facilities which include animal housing, laboratory, waste management, biosecurity area, and laboratory will be constructed at the PLGU Mountain Province-owned lot which was also the counterpart of the LGU to the Project as specified in the MOA signed by both PLGU Mountain Province and DA-ATI-RTC-CAR. The project has a contract duration of 120 calendar days and to be constructed by TAWID Builders Corporation.
The different LGU officials and Department of Agriculture heads and representatives acknowledged the threat posed by the African Swine Fever (ASF) to the food security in the region, which, in their respective messages they reiterated their support for the measures being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture to mitigate the adverse effect of the ASF and safeguard the swine industry in the country. One of the safeguards is the INSPIRE Program which aims to revive the swine industry thru the establishment of SWAIB Projects, Swine Multiplier and Techno Demo Farms and Swine Fattening Farms being implemented by the different Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices and Agricultural Training Centers all over the country.
Provincial Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr, DA-ATI-RTC-CAR Training Center Director Charlie C. Sagudan, Congressman Maximo B. Dalog Jr, Vice-Governor Francis O. Tauli, together with the Provincial Board Members Ezra Samson A. Gomez – Committee Chair on Agriculture, Henry D. Bastian – Committee on Appropriations and Ricardo Masidong Jr. led the activity. Also, present were Rodelio B. Bagawi – Provincial Veterinarian, Beverly T. Pekas – DA-RFO-CAR Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer, Jayvee P. Canor – DA-RFO-CAR Alternate Regional Livestock Program Coordinator and Report Officer, Otucan Sur barangay officials led by Barangay Captain Clayto C. Agloya and other personnel from DA-RFO-CAR, ATI-RTC-CAR and PLGU Mountain Province.
Father Johnson Falitang, Parish Rector of St. Paul’s Parish, Otucan Sur, Bauko, Mountain Province led the invocation and blessing of the Project. (Engr. Windel G. Baaten)
