A total of 1,600 pigs were shipped from Western Visayas to Metro Manila to help revive the country’s’ hog industry that has been affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
The shipment was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture (DA-6) on Monday, Feb. 15.
This, according to DA-6 Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, is in compliance with Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s memorandum and in support of Executive Order 124 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The shipment is part of the ‘Whole of Nation’ measures to revive the hog industry and reduce pork prices. This is part of the supply chain, mobilizing stocks from surplus areas aside from the transport support and price ceiling,” she added.
The pigs, approximately valued at P24 million, were from backyard raisers in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo.
Recoter said the biggest volume of pigs came from the Sibalom Integrated Livestock and Poultry Raisers Association (SILPRA) in Antique.
The association, which has more than 1,000 members, is the recipient of DA’s Livestock Oksyon Market (LOM), and a recently turned over feed mill facility that is set to operate in April this year.
ASF affected several areas in Luzon, causing shortage in supply and spike in prices of pork.
Aside from shouldering the logistic expenses in hog shipment, DA also prioritizes repopulation of hogs particularly in the green zones or ASF-free areas, implementation of Bantay ASF sa Barangay, financing and hog insurance, food diversification, raising of protein substitutes, and importation as the last resort.IMT
Photo by DA-6
