TANDAG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated PHP 10 million in recovery aid to a local cooperative impacted by African swine fever (ASF) in Surigao del Sur. This initiative is part of a broader effort to revive the swine industry in the Caraga Region, severely affected by the ASF outbreak.
According to Philippines News Agency, the funding was handed over to the Tandag Livestock and Poultry Agriculture Cooperative (Talipaco) during a ceremony in Sitio Mantaya, Barangay Pandanon, on Thursday. The resources are part of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program, which aims to modernize and enhance biosecurity in swine production. The funds will be used to establish a climate-controlled finisher operation facility with the capacity to house approximately 300 weanlings intended for fattening, along with necessary feed and stocks.
Talipaco's chair, Elier Lorono, expressed optimism about the project's potential to restore and expand their hog production capabilities significantly. The DA-13 Field Operations chief, Melody Guimary, highlighted that the initiative is expected to mitigate livelihood losses and alleviate the pork meat supply shortage in Tandag City and surrounding areas.
Additionally, DA-13 plans to provide Talipaco with a hauling truck to facilitate the efficient transportation of products to markets, further supporting the cooperative's recovery and operational expansion.