Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR) Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan together with DA-CAR officials and representatives from four (4) Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) in Abra, Mountain Province, and Benguet have formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the use and management of four specialized hauling trucks to be used specifically in the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) related project under the Provision of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment (PAME) program.

During the MOA signing at the DA Regional Field Office in Baguio City, Director Dawayan reiterated to the representatives of the Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADTEMPCO) of Abra, Tobano Omang Livelihood Project Organization (TOLPO) in Atok Benguet, Balili Backyard Hog Fattening Association (BBHFA) of Mankayan, and Dumap-ay Farmers Association (DFA) of Alab, Bontoc, Mountain Province, the importance the FCAs adherence to the operations manual as the basis in the use and management of the specialized hauling trucks having a total amount of P13.2 million.

The specialized two-decker hauling trucks were specifically designed with a water drinking system for hogs that will be ferried from the farm to the area where it is to be delivered, ensuring proper hydration during transport.

“Our hope is that through these specialized hauling trucks, the beneficiaries will be able to add an additional truck after three years. By strictly following the operations manual, the designated FCAs are obligated to adhere to the agreements entered into between the DA, the FCA beneficiaries, and their partners focusing on the clustering approach,” Dawayan said.

Under the operations manual, the identified beneficiaries must identify the designated driver and the permitted users. In cases where FCA members need to use the vehicle, they should identify the schedule of use, fuel responsibility, repair and maintenance, borrowing period, and liability while in use.
“What we are looking at is for the livestock industry in the Cordillera to be strengthened, and for the region to sustain the supply of swine, which is one of the purposes of INSPIRE,” Dawayan added.
Non-compliance and conformity of the designated beneficiary to the established manual of operations may result in the DA’s retrieval of the said intervention to be used by other identified FCAs capable of managing the specialized hauling trucks.
The INSPIRE program is designed to facilitate the replenishment and improvement of the domestic swine industry with the primary goal of restoring the livestock sector’s capability for local hog and pork production. //JTLlanes