Sixty swine raisers from the municipality of Marcos and city of Batac in Ilocos Norte were given a total of 90 weaner pigs as part of the repopulation program of the Department of Agriculture for African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected livestock farmers through the sentinelling protocol.

This protocol determines whether a virus or disease is still present in a location using a science-based approach. As a result, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 is dispersing weaner pigs in towns where there have been no documented cases of African swine fever (ASF) for at least 90 days.

Swine raisers were also provided with 30 bags of pre-starter, 90 bags of starter, and 90 bags of starter feeds.

Dr. Loida Valenzuela, the provincial veterinarian, encouraged farmers to strictly practice biosecurity measures, as their committed participation in these procedures is crucial to the management of ASF.

“Do the biosecurity measures. Always practice it. Not only on the putting up of fences, disinfectants, nets, the use of separate footwear within the pig pens, and the recording of visitors, but also be careful of letting people inside to visit your farm, “Valenzuela said, adding that they have discovered that people from the outside, mostly from the private sector, bring in the virus after visiting farms in other areas.

Valenzuela further encouraged farmers to immediately report any suspected ASF case for early prevention and proper provision of assistance.

The distribution activity was held on April 19–20, 2023, and will continue next week in the municipalities of Laoag and Banna.

All four sites have a total project cost of PHP 5,334,000