ILOILO City – Six local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas have approved applications for zone progression in preparation for hog sentineling program.
These are San Miguel and Sta. Barbara towns in Iloilo, Buenavista and Jordan in Guimaras, Pulupandan in Negros Occidental, and San Jose, Antique.
Zone progression is the first step to change their status from red into pink zone for African swine fever (ASF), according to Dr. Jonic Natividad, Regulatory Division chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6.
“They (six LGUs) have complied with the documents, and we still have seven pending approval by the Bureau of Animal Industry,” Natividad said.
Data from the BAI showed the 77 LGUs in the region have recorded ASF cases.
Natividad said initial preparation of farms will be in April and May. Hogs for sentinelling will be released around June and July this year.
During sentinelling, piglets will be distributed to selected hog farmers. Each of them will be allotted three piglets.
The DA will choose farmers based on the criteria set by BAI.
Natividad said the trial will last for 40 days. Should the animal survive, then it will be at the disposal of the farmer, but when it dies and is diagnosed with ASF, cleaning and disinfection will be conducted./PN
