ILOILO – To kick-start a sentineling program for African Swine Fever (ASF) recovery, the provincial government announced plans to release funds to 15 towns this week.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) confirmed that a total of P13,668,000 is earmarked for distribution under the initiative, aimed at supporting local farmers in areas recently reclassified from red to pink zones in terms of ASF risk.
The funds will be allocated as follows: San Miguel (P624,000), Barotac Viejo (P348,000), New Lucena (P264,000), Santa Barbara (P864,000), Mina (P84,000), Dingle (P444,000), Concepcion (P48,000), Batad (P300,000), Banate (P3,684,000), Oton (P 456,000), Janiuay (P960,000), Leganes (P432,000), Zarraga (P600,000), Lambunao (P960,000), and Dumangas (P600,000).
A total of 1,139 farmers from these towns will benefit from the program: San Miguel (52), Barotac Viejo (29), New Lucena (22), Santa Barbara (72), Mina (7), Dingle (37), Concepcion (4), Batad (25), Banate (307), Oton (288), Janiuay (80), Leganes (36), Zarraga (50), Lambunao (80), and Dumangas (50).
Each qualified farmer is allowed to purchase two piglets at a subsidized rate of P6,000 per piglet.
Dr. Darel Tabuada, PVO head, said these farmers have met various criteria including no recent ASF cases in their areas, adherence to minimum biosecurity standards, and participation in biosecurity training sessions.
Gov. Arthur Defensor clarified that the provincial program differs from the Department of Agriculture’s similar initiative, which provides three pigs and a two-month feed supply to its beneficiaries. The provincial initiative offers two pigs but does not include feed supplies.
Local hog raisers, especially those not affected by ASF, have started to repopulate their stocks.
The swine inventory in Iloilo significantly dwindled from 277,421 heads in September 2022 to 83,465 as of late April 2024.
The province has reported a 15.41 percent increase in swine inventory over the last two months, although the sufficiency level remains low at 35 percent./PN
