March 29, 2024

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The provincial government, through the Veterinary Office (PVO) has initiated various measures to address the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province and its impact to swine raisers.
Provincial Veterinarian James Gopeng reported during the meeting of the Local Price Monitoring Council two provincial animal quarantine checkpoints were established in Alfonso Lista and Lamut.
Gopeng said 98 affected swine raisers will receive indemnification from the Department of Agriculture while 440 swine raisers were submitted for assistance or indemnification.
“Sixty-eight hog raisers were given alternative livelihood with the distribution of 23,169 chicks. A total of 526 swine raisers were also submitted to DA and other concerned agencies for restocking or replacement,” Gopeng said.
Suspected ASF cases were reported in Hingyon and Banaue in December 2019 while confirmed cases in Lagawe, Kiangan, Banaue and Hingyon were reported in February 2020.
Gopeng said at present, ASF is present in nine of the 11 municipalities and is affecting 502 raisers with 4,128 pigs culled.
Only Tinoc and Hungduan remain ASF-free.
Swine raisers continue to face the challenges of the still uncontrolled spread of ASF and the absence of a vaccine against the disease.
Other concerns are key producing municipalities and a lot of breeder animals are affected, which could compromise future supply and the competition that continues to drive the prices up. Outside traders are also sourcing their supply from the province. – Marcelo B. Lihgawon