The Cebu Provincial Government launched another province-wide competition that will help boost the production of native hogs which will eventually help the lechon industry here become more sustainable.
The Sugbo Baboyan sa Tugkaran program will now be introduced to all the local government units and hog raisers -- a program that pushes for the raising of organically-grown pigs, production of organic fertilizers and organic feeds, especially for backyard hog raisers.
Organically-grown pigs are known to be best for lechon-making. Most lechon producers in Cebu would usually source their pigs from neighboring provinces which has become scarce after Gov. Gwen Garcia banned the importation of pork and pork products to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
During the first leg of the Caravan of Provincial Government Services for the second quarter which was held in the town of Barili last Friday, May 19, 2023, Capitol officially launched the program with Gov. Gwen Garcia leading the signing of a Pledge of Commitment with the mayors of the third district of Cebu, the Federation of Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), and the Federation of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) through their town and district representatives.
The LGUs are expected to enact appropriate ordinances or resolutions supporting the program, submit a masterlist and ensure full participation of barangays, puroks, and backyard hog-raisers, create an evaluation and monitoring team, and award municipal or city level winners.
After the signing, Gov. Gwen Garcia also distributed P1 million to the third district mayors present that will help their locality implement the program. Under the Sugbo Baboyan sa Tugkaran, the Province will download P1 million to the LGUs that will be used to fund the organic feed production of participating puroks. Native hogs shall only be fed with organic feeds, not commercial ones.
Meanwhile, the Liga ng mga Barangay - Cebu Province must also enact appropriate ordinances for the program's sustainability, and conduct periodic consultations with ABC Presidents.
The BHWs are called to get involved with the program implementation as they will be the ones who will conduct a comprehensive inventory of backyard hog raisers and ensure their full participation in the program.
They will also monitor and ensure that a proper waste management system is strictly implemented in backyard farms. The backyard hog raisers will also be required to turn pig manure into organic fertilizers which could be used in Sugbusog gardens.
Like the Sugbusog competition, Capitol will also form evaluation teams that will select winners from the household, puroks, barangays, all the way up to the municipal, city, and provincial levels. Exciting prizes also await the winners.
Aside from the financial assistance, the Capitol, through the Provincial Agriculture Office, committed to providing technical assistance to the program participants. (##)