9 C. Luzon hog farms operating sans permits
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has asked owners of nine hog farms in Central Luzon to explain why they were operating without the required permits, saying their operations undermined efforts to stabilize retail prices and local supply of pork.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (Bai) said these farms, located in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac, were issued show cause orders last month to explain why they bypassed basic health, environmental and safety regulations.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said these lapses jeopardized national efforts to stabilize pork supply and pricing, especially as the country recovers from the lingering effects of African swine fever (ASF).
“Compliance is not optional—it is fundamental to protecting both consumers and the livelihoods of law-abiding farmers,” Tiu Laurel said. “As we modernize Philippine agriculture, everyone must understand that unlicensed operations will not be tolerated.”
Acting Bai Director Christian Daquigan said the bureau was evaluating responses from some of the farms, hinting that further enforcement actions might follow.
The DA and Bai will continue to evaluate and monitor the operations of animal facilities nationwide to ensure their compliance with licensing, health and safety requirements.
Battling ASF
The Philippines’ ongoing battle against the ASF is far from over, but Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the country was prepared against the expected surge of active cases during the rainy season.
“Now, with the rainy season approaching and our hog farmers’ concern about the third quarter storm, they are prepared … again, based on their experience, they know how to respond and prevent active ASF cases from rising in those areas,” he said.
Water, De Mesa said, serves as a vector that helps spread viruses such as ASF.
The DA is undertaking controlled vaccination of pigs in certain areas in the Philippines to test the safety and efficacy of the ASF vaccine from Vietnam, he said.
Data from the Bai showed that only five provinces in four regions have active ASF cases as of May 23, significantly lower than the 76 provinces in 18 regions reported by the agency since the first ASF outbreak was detected in 2019.
