CAMALIG, Albay—The Bantonan Community Development Cooperative (Bacodeco) in Barangay Bantonan is set to benefit from a P5.5 million community-based swine repopulation project, following the recent inauguration and turnover of a newly constructed bio-secured and climate-controlled finisher operation facility.

The project, made possible with the assistance of the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office (DARPO) Albay, is part of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program. The initiative aims to accelerate the recovery of the swine industry from African Swine Fever (ASF) and revitalize the sector.

As a key commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the program underscores the government’s efforts to assist farmers and fisherfolk, ensuring improved productivity and income. The project’s scope includes calibrated hog re-population, the establishment of modern swine farms, and the facilitation of easy access to insurance and credit services for hog farmers. These efforts are designed to boost swine production and ensure a steady supply of pork and pork products in the country.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maria Eugenia M. Alteza congratulated Bacodeco, the designated agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO), and expressed gratitude to the DA for selecting the cooperative as a project recipient.

“I see a bright future ahead for Bacodeco. Your cooperative is on the path to progress,” Alteza said.

She also acknowledged the significant role of the Quipia Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (QARBC), led by Chairperson Shariza Shaika M. Requiero, for serving as a “big brother” to Bacodeco in guiding the project’s implementation.

Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Chito P. Molina of DAR-Albay highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in helping farmer organizations thrive.

Bacodeco Chairperson Bertito M. Laganson, visibly moved during the event, expressed deep gratitude to the involved agencies, emphasizing the importance of the opportunity the project provides.

“We are very thankful to DAR. We hope to sustain this project,” Laganson said.

Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Albay Tumanggap ng P5.5M Swine Repopulation Project

CAMALIG, Albay — Nakatakdang makinabang ang Bantonan Community Development Cooperative (Bacodeco) sa Barangay Bantonan mula sa P5.5 milyong community-based swine repopulation project, matapos ang pagpapasinaya at turnover ng bagong gawang bio-secured at climate-controlled finisher operation facility.

Ang proyekto, sa tulong ng Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office (DARPO) Albay, ay bahagi ng Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program ng Department of Agriculture (DA). Layunin ng programang ito na mapabilis ang pagbangon ng industriya ng babuyan mula sa African Swine Fever (ASF) at muling buhayin ang sektor.

Bilang isang pangunahing pangako ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., binibigyang-diin ng programa ang pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na tulungan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda upang mapabuti ang kanilang ani at kita. Saklaw ng proyekto ang maingat na pagpaparami ng mga baboy, pagtatayo ng mga makabagong babuyan, at pagbibigay ng madaling access sa mga insurance at credit services para sa mga nag-aalaga ng baboy. Layon nito na palakasin ang produksyon ng baboy at matiyak ang sapat na suplay ng karne ng baboy sa bansa.

Binati ni Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maria Eugenia M. Alteza ang Bacodeco, ang itinalagang agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO), at ipinahayag ang pasasalamat sa DA sa pagpili sa kooperatiba bilang tatanggap ng proyekto.

“Nakikita ko ang magandang kinabukasan para sa Bacodeco. Nasa tamang landas kayo patungo sa pag-unlad,” ani Alteza.

Kinikilala rin niya ang mahalagang papel ng Quipia Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (QARBC), sa pangunguna ni Chairperson Shariza Shaika M. Requiero, bilang “big brother” ng Bacodeco sa pagpatnubay sa pagpapatupad ng proyekto.

Binanggit naman ni Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Chito P. Molina ng DAR-Albay ang kahalagahan ng pakikipagtulungan ng mga ahensya upang tulungan ang mga samahan ng magsasaka na umunlad.

Naging emosyonal sa nasabing seremonya si Bacodeco Chairperson Bertito M. Laganson, na nagpahayag ng taos-pusong pasasalamat sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno na kasama sa proyekto, at binigyang-diin ang mahalagang pagkakataong ibinigay sa kanila.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa DAR. Umaasa kami na mapapanatili namin itong proyekto na ito,” ani Laganson.