The Iloilo Provincial Government has started the groundwork to boost the source of supply for protein, particularly pork, chicken and fish products, amid the continuing threat of African swine fever (ASF).

“These are measures that are not necessarily ASF measures; these are agricultural measures to have more options and not just pigs,” said Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. in a media interview.

Defensor said the fight against ASF is on two fronts: prevention and containment, and the supply side.

He added that there is a need to boost the supply side even as they are still validating information that the ASF will not simply be gone once it has affected an area.

“We have to adjust. We have to fight on the supply side. And as we said, the supply of pork as far as the province is concerned is a nutritional issue because it is our source of protein,” he said.

In addition to replenishing the supply by raising hogs in areas not yet affected by animal disease and those with a lower chance of infection, the plan is also to source the nutritional needs from chicken and inland water aquaculture to balance the source of protein.

“That is how we adjust to ASF, the new normal in ASF now that it is here with us,” he said, adding that he will try to complete the picture of the program within the week.

Currently, 17 of the 22 local government units in Iloilo affected by the ASF are under the red or infected zone, which means that the disease is already present not just in one barangay.

Data from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian showed that the ASF is already recorded in 104 barangays as of Feb. 20 in the municipalities of Oton, San Miguel, Alimodian, Leganes, Sta. Barbara, New Lucena, Mina, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Zarraga, Janiuay, San Dionisio, Batad, Dingle and Concepcion.

The movement of live pigs, pork, pork products (fresh/frozen pork products and uncooked processed pork products, except cooked and canned processed pork products), and swine genetic materials in and out of the said municipalities is prohibited.Perla Lena/PNA