CABARROGUIS, Quirino– One hundred hog raisers from all towns of Quirino who gathered at Cabarroguis received new hope for their farms on July 14, 2026 as the Department of Agriculture turned over swine breeders under the modified INSPIRE Program, aimed at rebuilding the province’s hog industry after years of ASF losses.
Held at the Quirino Provincial Capitol Grounds, the distribution was led by DA Regional Field Office 02 Livestock personnel together with the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Cabarroguis. Each of the 100 qualified beneficiaries received 2 gilts and technical assistance packages.
The Modified Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion, or Modified INSPIRE, is DA’s flagship program to repopulate hog farms with ASF-free, high-quality breeders while strengthening biosecurity at the household level. Unlike the original rollout, the modified version adds stricter screening, mandatory training, and a 6-month monitoring period to ensure survival and breeding success.
“Hindi ordinaryong pamamahagi ito, kundi pagsisimula. Hindi pag aalaga, kundi pagbabangon ng industriya ng baboy dito sa Quirino,” This was the message of Regional Executive Director Rose Mary G. Aquino through her representative Mr. Salvador Bulda, QES Manager.
“Hindi lang ito pamimigay ng baboy. Ito ay puhunan para makabalik tayo sa dating lakas ng hog industry natin dito sa Quirino,” said DA-RFO2 Regional Livestock Focal Person Dr. Judith Tattao in her message. He reminded recipients that the breeders are not for immediate slaughter, but for breeding to produce piglets that can be grown, sold, or shared within the community.
Meanwhile, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Giovanni Dulnuan said Cabarroguis was prioritized because of its high number of backyard raisers who were severely affected by ASF from 2021 to 2024.
A validation team conducted farm inspections, biosecurity checks, and interviews before finalizing the list of beneficiaries.
For 50-year-old Maraquita Ponchawhan, Agricultural Center Chief, the turnover meant restarting a livelihood she and orher backyard raisers had to pause three years ago.
“Nalugi kami nung tinamaan ng ASF. Tatlong alaga, nawala lahat. Ngayon, bibigyan kami ng bagong inahin. Aaalagaan naming mabuti para dumami at makatulong din sa kapitbahay,” she said.
Under the program, beneficiaries are organized into clusters and are required to attend training on proper housing, feeding, waste management, and ASF prevention. DA technicians in coordination with Quirino PVet will conduct monthly visits and provide free deworming and vitamins during the first production cycle. Piglets produced from the breeders are also expected to be rolled over to other members of their association after the first litter, expanding impact beyond the initial 100.
The beneficiaries thanked DA for the intervention, noting that affordable pork remains a key concern for local households and eateries. The pledged support from the LGU through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist is directed for monitoring and veterinary care.
With Quirino’s hog population geared to recover, officials say the July 14 distribution is the first batch for the province this year. DA targets to distribute more heads province-wide before December, with the goal of making Quirino self-sufficient in pork supply by 2027.
As the breeders were loaded onto tricycles and trucks soon to settle into their new pens, farmers left the capitol with more than livestock, they left with a timeline to recover.
via Dr. Ferdinand Cortez