ILOILO City – The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced a significant shift in the status of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Western Visayas, with 29 local government units (LGUs) being downgraded from red to pink zones as of June 14.
The LGUs transitioning to the pink zone include San Jose in Antique province; Buenavista and Jordan in Guimaras; Banate, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Concepcion, Dingle, Dumangas, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Zarraga in Iloilo Province; Iloilo City; Hinigaran, Pulupandan, and Silay City in Negros Occidental; Banga, Balete, Kalibo, Madalag, Makato, Malinao, and New Washington in Aklan; and Maayon in Capiz.
The pink zone, or buffer zone, designates areas where ASF has not been detected but are immediately adjacent to confirmed infected areas (red zone). The classification helps prevent the spread of ASF from the red zone by enforcing enhanced biosecurity measures and surveillance efforts.
In the red zone, strict prohibitions are enforced against the movement of live pigs, pork and pork products (including fresh/frozen pork and uncooked processed pork products, with the exception of cooked and canned processed pork products), as well as swine genetic materials, to prevent the spread of ASF. These restrictions remain in place until officially lifted.
Additionally, two LGUs have been downgraded from pink to yellow zone, including Buruanga, Aklan, and Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
The yellow (surveillance) zone includes municipalities or cities where ASF is not detected and that are adjacent to the pink zone.
DA-6 regional executive director Dennis Arpia said LGUs in the pink zone can now participate in the sentinel program of the agency. With the cooperation of the private sector, LGUs, and government agencies, many LGUs have already started this program.
“This is the opportunity to boost the confidence level of our farmers to reinvest,” said Arpia.
Arpia also cited the national government’s investment in the hog industry, including the allocation of P20 million for purchasing sentinel pigs in early 2024 to raise farmer confidence and demonstrate the safety of reinvesting in the hog industry.
He emphasized the need for a science-based approach to ensure the success of the sentinel program, particularly compliance with biosecurity measures.
The results have positively impacted farmers’ confidence levels, and continued support is necessary, added Arpia. Priority for sentinel pigs is given to areas previously heavily affected by ASF to assess the readiness of farmers and LGUs to manage pigs and gauge the risk of ASF returning.
Under the rules, the health of sentinel pigs will be monitored through blood sample testing over two months to detect any ASF infection.
Positive results will lead to depopulation of the affected pigs, while negative results will allow hog raisers in the area to resume operations, provided they adhere to strict biosecurity measures./PN
