The I-PLAN team of the Philippine Rural Development Project of the Department of Agriculture conducted the Finalization of Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) for Swine in Bicol with the assistance from the experts in the Livestock program, the Regulatory Division and Research Division, in reviewing and enhancing the  PCIP for swine.

Based on a study conducted by CountryStat in 2017, Bicol Region ranks 7th in the swine volume of production with 5.4% share in 2016 in the whole country.  This indicates that swine production is a great opportunity to help the beneficiaries alleviate poverty.

Each of the PPMIU representative presented their PCIP using the information gathered from their respective provinces.  They identified the possible constraints and gave interventions to the identified interrelated segments and processes on Input Provision, Production, Assembly/Trading, Processing/Transformation, and Sale.

The PCIP for swine envisions to change the current backyard farms to modern swine farms, that is technology driven and with support facilities such as feed mills, biogas, processing and cold storage facilities and refrigerated van.  This improvement is expected to help increase the income of the producers and the local economy.

According to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), swine production in the Philippines is the largest industry among the livestock and poultry industry in the country. It ranks next to rice with 18.28% contribution to the total value of agricultural production.  Swine production plays a major role in ensuring the country’s food security by providing 60% of the total animal meat consumption of Filipinos.

Per Worldometers estimation, the population of the Philippines reached around One Hundred Million (P 100,000,000.00) in 2015, and it is increasing at a rate of 2% yearly. About Twenty-two Million of hogs are needed to satisfy the estimated 1.5 million kg pork consumption. The present per capita consumption of pork which is 14.9 kg is expected to further grow. This requires the need to increase the local production to meet the growing demand, including the requirement of the processors.

The I-PLAN team and the PPMIUs will conduct series of stakeholders’ consultation to capture the industry situationer in the province and enhance the draft PCIP for swine which will be presented to the Provincial Development Council (PDC) or in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for endorsement. PCIP is a strategic plan that rationalizes the interventions within the various segments of the value chain of commodities that are significant to the province. It is a 3-year rolling consensus plan between DA and LGU with strong participation from the various stakeholders. The PCIP shall be the basis for PRDP’s I-BUILD and I-REAP in selecting eligible interventions/subprojects for funding. (Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO 5 InfoACE Unit)

Bicol I-PLAN Head Mrs. Aloha Gigi Bañaria discusses the importance of Swine Industry in Bicol and the opportunities it offers to help alleviate poverty in the Region.  (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO 5 InfoACE Unit)

PPMIU Camarines Norte enhances their PCIP presentation based on the comments and suggestions given by the experts from the Livestock Program, Research Division and Regulatory Division of DA RFO 5.  (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO 5 InfoACE Unit)

Mr. Marianito Tesorero, Agri II of Livestock Program assisted Mr. Jesus Ravanilla PPDO of Sorsogon to enhance their Swine Matrix based on the data and reports gathered by the Livestock program in the whole region. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO 5 InfoACE Unit)

The wise and hardworking participants of the Finalization of PCIP for Swine in Bicol from PPMIUs of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon   and Catanduanes together with the representatives from the Livestock Program, Regulatory Divion and Research Division of DA RFO 5, with the assistance from the I-PLAN Component Head and Staffs and I-REAP component of PRDP. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO 5 InfoACE Unit)