Iloilo rolls out P9.6-M ASF recovery aid
ILOILO CITY—The provincial government of Iloilo has put P9.6 million into its African swine fever (ASF) recovery program, funding piglet distribution in 13 municipalities to help revive the local hog industry.
The financial aid has been allocated to the municipalities of Barotac Viejo, New Lucena, Dingle, Banate, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel, Concepcion, Lambunao, Zarraga, Janiuay, Batad, Oton and Mina.
The Provincial Veterinary Office assisted in the piglet acquisition and distribution process.
Barotac Viejo, Sta. Barbara and San Miguel already secured a total of 176 piglets for dispersal. More municipalities were expected to follow as the program progressed.
According to Dr. Darel Tabuada, provincial veterinarian, the program’s goal is to restore Iloilo’s swine population after the ASF outbreak.
Recovery starts
“As of Feb. 3, Iloilo’s swine inventory has reached 80,310 heads, marking an 11.05 percent increase from the previous month’s total of 72,320 heads,” Tabuada said.
Iloilo province’s hog industry was hit by ASF in late 2022, causing the loss of 74 percent (205,191 heads) in its swine population. By February last year, the disease had spread to 28 towns affecting 2,213 farmers, Tabuada had said at that time.
Although Iloilo currently has no active ASF cases, the provincial government remains vigilant, Tabuada said.
Tabuada assured that incoming hog shipments from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Occidental and Palawan were being closely monitored to prevent another outbreak.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. reaffirmed the province’s commitment to ASF recovery, pledging additional financial support to sustain and expand the program.
According to the National Meat Inspection Service, ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs, warthogs and boars.
It causes pigs to have high fever, lose their appetite, and causes hemorrhages in the skin and internal organs.
Pigs die in a span of two to 10 days upon affliction. There is no known vaccine yet against ASF.
Health officials reiterated that ASF does not pose any threats to humans and that other pork products from infected areas were safe to eat.
