Over P4-M released for ASF sentinelling program in Iloilo towns

ILOILO CITY – The provincial government released P4.28 million in financial assistance intended for 357 farmers in six municipalities for the sentinelling or a trial run to determine the presence or absence of African swine fever (ASF) in their areas.

"Our pink zone is recovering that is why we already downloaded money for the sentinel program. We are executing protocols right now, but as we go along, we know that our backyard industry, some have already started to raise hogs in a smaller level…and that is what is sustaining us right now," said Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. in a press conference on Wednesday.

Funds were downloaded from July 29 to Aug. 13 to the municipalities of Barotac Viejo, New Lucena, Dingle, Banate, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel, which in turn will be released to identified farmers.

In the meantime, data from the Provincial Veterinarian's Office showed that Iloilo is already 70.03 sufficient, with 84,323 heads available as of Aug. 9 swine inventory.

The inventory increased by 12,003 from the 72,320 heads in January this year.

Defensor is optimistic that pork products would this coming holiday season "would be better than last year."

Of the 28 LGUs affected by the ASF, 17 have already upgraded to pink or buffer zone, where sentinelling is allowed, while 11 others are still in the red or infected zone.

The last case in the province was recorded in the town of San Joaquin, affecting 52 swine heads.

Defensor said the ban on the entry of pork and its by-products coming from selected areas in the country is still in place amid the resurgence of ASF cases in other parts of the country. (PNA)