The Department of Agriculture-Caraga, through its Livestock Program, turned-over nine specialized Hauling Trucks to Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) on February 20 in Taguibo, Butuan City.

The hauling trucks, valued at over ₱2.9 million each, summed up to ₱27 million worth of investment. These trucks, delivered as part of the DA’s Calibrated Swine Repopulation Program, aim to provide vital support to local hog farmers by ensuring efficient and safe transportation of livestock, boosting operational efficiency, and significantly enhancing the productivity and sustainability of farmer cooperatives and associations.

The trucks were distributed to the following organizations: the Kahugpungan sa Katawhan sa Subait Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KKS-MPC) of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, Buenas Agong-ong Active Farmers Association, Inc., of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, Farmers Alternative Self-Reliance MPC (FASRMCO) of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, San Francisco Farmers Producers Cooperative of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Kangyat Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, Brgy. Wangke Hog Raisers Association of Claver, Surigao del Norte, Tandag City Livestock and Poultry Agriculture Cooperative of Tandag City,  Magroyong Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, and the Tigao Farmers Development Cooperative of Cortes, Surigao del Sur

One of the recipients, the Magroyong Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, expressed their gratitude through San Miguel Municipal Mayor Michael Corilla: “I cannot express enough my happiness in receiving this intervention for the people of San Miguel. Our way of repaying your help is to take care of and develop this so that our hog raisers will also prosper,”he said.

The recipients of the project are FCAs that have been part of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (SWINE) project since 2022 and have demonstrated successful operations.

The brand-new customized hauling vehicle includes two layers per floor, two partitions per layer, and five heads per partition. Additional features include a drinking water system, sprinkler system, air-conditioning, hydraulic lifting mechanism, and tanks with a capacity of at least 150 liters for water and 90 liters for sewage.

As pork remains a crucial component of food production, DA Regional Executive Director Arlan M. Mangelen emphasized the importance of supporting the hog farmers to ensure a steady and sufficient supply of this essential protein source for the Caraganon.

“You have my full support for the INSPIRE project. I hope you will take care of and expand this program to other municipalities so that we can achieve a food-sufficient region and sustain the law of supply and demand,” said RED Mangelen.

The turn-over ceremony was also attended by FOD Chief Melody M. Guimary, Livestock Focal Person Jekem Sanchez, APCO Chiefs, and FCA members.  (Lovely Joy L. Saludez, DA-Caraga)