The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 has turned over Php 6,088,156 worth of integrated Swine and Vegetable Production Projects to eight (8) farmers’ associations (FAs) with a total of 200 members in Alabat and Perez (AlQuerez) Island, Quezon Province last March 2025.
The beneficiary farmers’ associations were: Sangirin Farmers and Livestock Association (SAFALIA), Villa Manzano Norte Farmers Association (VILMANORFA), Coconut Farmers Fisher Folk Hog Raisers Association Barangay Pambuhan (COFFISERA), Mainit Farmers Association (MAFA), Farmers and Hog Raisers Association of Brgy. Villa Jesus Weste, Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Brgy. Villa Norte, Sabang Quezon Farmers Association, and Tindig ng mga Nagkakaisang Mangingisda ng Poblacion 5.
The interventions include 56 head of swine with biologics, 1,086 sacks of feed, and vegetable seeds (eggplant, squash, string beans, and bottle gourd).
Each FA received seven (7) head of swine and the corresponding sacks of feed in March 2025. Vegetable seeds were provided earlier, in September 2024, enabling beneficiaries to establish home gardens and initiate small-scale crop production in advance of the livestock component.
These combined interventions aim to establish sustainable and diversified food sources, improve household nutrition, and create new livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries.
The project, a component of SAAD’s Food Production and Livelihood Program, is designed to help local farmers increase their income and strengthen community-based food production systems. It is also based on the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) assessment, in which farmers identified potential livelihood support for their communities.
Despite delays caused by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak last year, the associations remained patient and hopeful. With the interventions now delivered, the farmers are enthusiastic and optimistic about the project’s potential. Many have expressed excitement about raising the gilts and anticipate that these will significantly contribute to their households’ food supply and income.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa SAAD dahil sa napakagandang project na ito. Makakatulong ito bilang dagdag kita para sa mga miyembro. Kapag itong baboy, umanak ipapasa ang ilang anak sa iba pang miyembro para lahat ay mabigyan,” shared TINDIG President Mr. Joel Jimenez.
[We extend our sincere gratitude to SAAD for this remarkable project. It will serve as an additional source of income for our members. Once the pigs give birth, some of the piglets will be distributed to other members to ensure that everyone in the association benefits.]
To ensure equitable distribution and sustainability, each association has implemented its own rollover scheme. SAAD CALABARZON envisions AlQuerez Island becoming a key source of premium swine breeds in the province. The Swine Project also aims to attain genetic improvement of swine in the municipalities through the distribution of high-quality gilts and the promotion of artificial insemination (AI).
SAAD CALABARZON Regional Focal Person Dr. Wilmer S. Faylon emphasized the significant benefits of artificial insemination for the community, including improved swine quality and healthier litters.
“Mayroon po ngayong F1 boar sa bayan ng Alabat. Hinihikayat ko po kayo na magtanong sa kanilang MAO kung paano ang proseso ng pagpapakasta gamit ang AI kapag nag-landi na ang inyong mga alagang inahin. Sa pamamagitan ng AI, mas makakasiguro tayo sa kalidad ng mga magiging biik at mas mapapabuti pa ang ating produksyon,” said Dr. Faylon.
[An F1 boar is currently available in the municipality of Alabat. We encourage you to coordinate with their Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) to learn about the procedures for breeding through Artificial Insemination (AI) once your sows are in estrus. Utilizing AI allows for better assurance of piglet quality and contributes to the overall improvement of swine production.]
This initiative by DA-SAAD CALABARZON, through the provision of integrated swine and vegetable production projects, not only aims to boost the income and food security of Alabat and Perez farmers but also fosters a sustainable model for agricultural development in the province. ###
