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Ilocos Norte gears up for swine repopulation program

By Leilanie Adriano

October 24, 2022, 5:10 pm

<p><em>(PNA file photo by Leilanie Adriano)</em></p>

(PNA file photo by Leilanie Adriano)

LAOAG CITY – Over 700 piglets from Cebu City are scheduled to be sent to Ilocos Norte as part of the government’s African swine fever (ASF) recovery program.

In an interview Monday, Loida Valenzuela, provincial veterinarian of Ilocos Norte, said the first batch of sentinel piglets will be taken in by hog raisers in Pasuquin town who were among the first qualified beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture program.

Under the 40-day sentineling program, the sentinels will be observed for more than a month and then tested. If the tests turn negative, then the area will be declared ASF-free and can start hog repopulation.

Valenzuela said the respective Municipal Agriculture Offices and barangay local governments are also currently evaluating other hog raisers throughout the province that are qualified for the hog sentineling program.

“There were around 45 heads [piglets] earlier requested by Pasuquin. Laboratory-wise, they are already cleared [from ASF] based on RT-PCR tests conducted in Manila. We are just waiting for the official declaration,” Valenzuela said.

Valenzuela said the Ilocos Norte government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office, also continues to distribute production support to hog raisers such as feeds, vitamins and deworming for livestock.

Meanwhile, agricultural inputs such as fruits and vegetable seeds, fertilizers and pesticides are also made available to farmers upon their request.

“This is an offshoot of our economic recovery program, giving alternative livelihood to our farmers,” she added.

Prior to the sentineling program, backyard hog raisers have already prepared for the ASF recovery program by cleaning and disinfecting the areas where the sentinel hogs would be placed.

The DA provided the ASF test kits, along with reader and laboratory equipment, power sprayers, ASF responder kits and disinfectants. (PNA)

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