BOODLE FIGHT. Agriculture Secretary William Dar (fourth from left), ABONO Party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III (third from right), Samahan Ng Industriya at Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So (second from right) and Rosales Mayor Susan Casareno (far right) pose for a photo as they led the lunch 'boodle fight' in Rosales town Sunday (Dec. 1, 2019) to highlight that Pangasinan and the hog industry in the province is safe from African swine fever. Dar was also in Urdaneta City where a boodle fight was held. (Photo by Liwayway Yparraguirre)
ROSALES, Pangasinan -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar has declared Pangasinan pork and pork products are free of the African swine fever (ASF) after some hogs in the province earlier tested positive of ASF.
“For Pangasinan, the feedback I got is that there is no outbreak,” he said during his visit to the province on Sunday as he attended Urdaneta City’s fiesta and the lechon (roasted pig) festival in Rosales town.
Some hogs from the towns of Mapandan and Bayambang have tested positive of ASF in the previous months, but the DA, along with the local government units and other government agencies, have worked together to prevent further spread of the virus.
“It is safe to consume pork and processed pork products (from Pangasinan),” Dar said.
He also assured enough supply of pork this holiday season since only 1 percent of the total population of hogs in the country was affected by ASF.
"Do not worry about supply this Christmas season, we have enough supply. In fact, our hog raisers have over production. The hog industry is a PHP260-billion industry, and everybody must work together to protect it,” Dar said.
Region 3 (Central Luzon) was the most devastated by ASF virus with Bulacan and Pampanga still being monitored to prevent spread of the virus, he said.
“The threat is still there thus; we have to elevate our quarantine system. We continue to implement and observe the 1-7-10 protocol," he added.
Under the 1-7-10 protocol, the government culls all pigs within the one-kilometer radius of the affected farm, while the movement of pork and pork products within seven kilometers is limited. It also conducts surveillance and monitoring within the 10-kilometer radius.
Dar commended the National Hog Raisers Association, including its federation, for immediately coordinating and helping DA address the problem on ASF.
Meanwhile, he urged citizens to still be vigilant and report to authorities if ASF-related problems arise.
"Ang hiling natin sa mga hog raisers especially the hog traders, huwag na kayong bumili ng mga baboy na may sakit (I ask the hog raisers especially the hog traders not to buy hogs that are sick). If you buy ASF-infected hogs and slaughter it, this will spread the virus," Dar said.
He added meat processors are also asking help from DA as they want to trade their processed products to the different provinces.
"There are provinces which tightened their guard (at the entry points) because of their negative experience from one processor," he said.
Dar, together with Samahan ng Industriyang Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So, DA Regional Executive Director Lucrecio Alviar Jr., Mayor Julia Parayno, members of the United Association of Pangasinan Swine Growers, and barangay folks feasted on lechon, dinuguan, and rice at the 'boodle fight' held at the city's Cultural and Civic Center.
A boodle fight was also held in Rosales town. (PNA)
