BRGY. SAN ANTONIO, October 25, 2022 - Not long after receiving the Certificate of Commitment, the Island Garden City of Samal is now officially the first in the entire Davao Region granted with the 30-sow level Swine Multiplier and Technodemo Farm Project granted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE), as part of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) recovery and repopulation plan for the island.

The P10-million project is a biosecure and climate-controlled piggery facility that will be built in Brgy. San Antonio, Babak District, which aims to gradually build, restore, and recover the swine industry and will be a training center for the Samaleños.

City Veterinarian, Doc. Edunel C. Sala, expressed gratitude to the Department of Agriculture for selecting Samal as the project's recipient and assured of its long-term viability for the benefit of the people, particularly small and medium-scale hog farmers.

Likewise, City Mayor Al David T. Uy emphasized the commitment of the city government to supplement the given and future projects, such as allocating land area and budget. He also shared that the project really fits along with the Double A slaughterhouse, Samal Island City College, and the TESDA learning center in the city. "Hindi lang ho tourism ang gusto namin idevelop sa Samal, pati yung Agriculture. Lalo na 'pag dadami na yung turista ng Samal, syempre mahirap naman kung sige nalang tayo aasa ng pagkain sa labas. So we need to thrive. Maningkamot gyud ta na mastrengthen ang atoang food sufficiency diri sa atoang isla, " Mayor Uy added. 

Moreover, National Program Director of DA-National Livestock Program, Dr. Ruth Miclat-Sonaco, revealed that aside from the swine multiplier and technodemo farm, a P5.5-Million community-based swine production and expansion through clustering and consolidation project will be given to the Talicud Island . She further hopes that Samal will not only be self-sufficient swine producers but can also serve and supply high quality meat products for the neighboring cities.

After the 3-year project, the local government will be given post-harvest facilities with solar-powered buildings, processing facilities, and slaughterhouses.

Present in the event were DA- XI Regional Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo, duly represented by Mae Ann Constantino, OIC Center DIrector of ATI, Ms. Olivia Gatus, ATI-RTC Budget Officer, Mr. Jerry Carpentero, ATI-RTC Acting Accountant, Mr. Norsaeb Lumandong, City councilors, department heads, and the Barangay Council of San Antonio. (CIO-IGACOS/NBC/RConcepcion)