DA to distribute sows in an effort to augment pork supply

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allotted P400-million for its program to help swine raisers in areas not affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).
Through this program, the DA hopes to regulate the increasing price of pork due to scarcity caused by the ASF outbreak.
Recently, the price of pork in local markets rose up to P400 per kilogram.
“Ang objective po ng programang ito ay magbigay ng mga alagang baboy inahin at palakihin dun sa mga areas na free from ASF,” explained Executive Director Reildrin Morales of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).
“Kasama na rin po doon yung pakain sapagkat sa elevated response natin sa ASF ipagbabawal po natin pagpapakain ng kaning baboy sapagkat yan po ang isa talagang tinitignan nating dahil bakit kumalat ang ASF,” he added.
The DA, however, has not identified yet the beneficiary areas of the program and how many heads of swine will be distributed.
The Department is also launching the ‘Bantay ASF’ program which centers on recovery and repopulation of pigs.
“Isa po sa programa ng National Livestock Program ay doon sa mga free areas palakihin pa or i-expand natin ang pag aalaga ng baboy para suplayan ang pangangailangan natin,” Morales said.
“Doon naman sa mga area na tinamaan, tingnan natin kung how we will be able to recover the area at makapag umpisa ulit na mag alaga ng baboy,” he added.
Also, the DA is looking to further intensify the ban on ‘swill feeding’ which is believed to be the main reason for the quick spread of ASF.
Meanwhile, agriculture advocate Samahan ng Industriyang Agrikultura (SINAG) is appealing to the agency to further intensify the implementation of strict border control and screening of imported meat into the country.
This is to make sure the entry of other animal diseases into the country particularly those that might affect the poultry industry.
“Ang solusyon talaga iyong borders entry natin. Iyon talaga ang dapat na suriin para at least magkaroon tayo ng peace of mind na mahinto ito,” appealed Rosendo So, the president of SINAG.
“Kasi hindi lang ito ang diseases na pwedeng pumasok. Ang other countries ay may Avian Influenza. So kung ito ay pumasok ulit at hindi natin makontrol pati yung chicken industry mamo-problema talaga,” he added.
The DA previously announced the establishment of first border inspection facility in major prots in the country to ensure that all imported agri products are safe and not contaminated by any virus from other countries. MNP (with reports from Joan Nano)