No piggeries in Baguio next year; MOA inked for relocation in Tuba

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY- There will be no more piggeries in Baguio next year, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.

         A usufruct agreement between Magalong and the owner of a 10,000 square meter property in San Pascual, Tuba, Benguet intended for a city piggery project was signed last week at city hall.

The proposed piggery away from the city addresses backyard hog raising problems, deemed a major factor to waterways pollution extending to neighboring areas. Pig waste is considered a major pollutant in water ways, burgeoning up to billions of disease-causing Coliform, as to samples taken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Engineer Francis Cuyop represented the lot owner who signified consent to the use of the lot for hog-raising for ten years.

 The period, however, does not include the construction of facilities, and that permanent improvements redound to owner’s use, after the agreed period of use. The owner authorizes the possession and use of the property as stated in the agreement.

 Any breach, dispute or litigation in the terms and conditions of the agreement would be filed in Baguio City courts, it was stated.

The signing was witnessed by City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan, Leandro Tabilog, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, and other officials.

According to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the computer-controlled technology-based piggery to be housed in San Pascual, Tuba, Benguet is expected to be profitable for backyard hog-raisers, some members of the newly-inducted Baguio Animal Raisers cooperative (BARaCo). Two piggery facilities within the proposed area are expected to house 1,200 hogs with harvest at least twice a year, the mayor said.

Mayor Magalong said piggeries would be out of the city next year.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) granted P10 million for the piggery project, while Thailand-based CPF food company provides training and basic materials for the hog-raising facility.

Construction of the planned piggery goes on after the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) is accomplished with a public hearing set in Tuba, 9 a.m. on Dec. 13.

Meanwhile, the BARaCo officers were inducted by the mayor last week. The cooperative is a requirement for the piggery project set in Tuba.

The Baguio Animal Raisers Cooperative (BARaCo) officers inducted were Julie Mangigil as chair, Luis Dulagan as Vice Chair, Elizabeth Bayla, Julie Enio and Helen Mokyat as Board of Directors. Coop secretary is Carmen Apessan, and treasurer is Mary Fanak-il. Billy Kitongan is Chair of the election committee, Vice-chair is Faustino Wayas, and Secretary is June Galmote; while the audit committee is headed by Jane Faruyen, Vice-chair is Benedicta Kitan and secretary is Beatriz Aliwan.

The officers pledged to be guided by cooperative principles of self-help, equality, honesty, and being law-abiding, among others.